Paintings, artworks, and historical heirlooms from the collection of Michael Scoullos form a public testimony of a city reconstructed through its rare visual imprints, in an exhibition curated by Louisa Karapidaki
Through the careful curation and dedication of the collector, and with a focus on Athens from the time it became the capital of the newly established Greek state, the exhibition invites visitors to explore the landscapes, people, and rhythms of the city. These are depicted on the canvases of prominent Greek and foreign painters, as well as in memorabilia and keepsakes. In this way, the exhibition not only highlights the evolution of the city but also reveals a personal narrative—one that traces the remnants of another Athens, a city that may have been lost but continues to endure in memory and in art.
As the curator notes:“The exhibition ‘Collectors’ Stories: Athena and Athens, 1834...’ offers the public an opportunity to discover how a private collection can narrate the story of a city, and to experience the unique perspective of a collector through works rarely, if ever, seen by the public. The pieces presented are exceptionally rare, with most of them previously unpublished. Mr. Scoullos owns several extensive collections, including collections on the history of writing, African art, the history of tobacco, coins, ceramics, maps, and stamps.”
The exhibition will be accompanied by parallel events and guided tours, details of which will be announced soon.