ART AND IDEOLOGY IN MODERN GREECE:
Building the identity of a nation

Marina Lambraki-Plaka, the Director of the Greek National Gallery and an eminent art historian will discuss the evolving ideological identity of modern Greece that arose from the War of Independence and illustrate the central role of the Arts. The need to build a nation related to classical and medieval Hellenism but also incorporating cultural developments in Europe was just as important as the creation of a modern Greek state. SPGH is proud to present Professor Lambraki-Plaka to the DC audience and to start a discussion on one of the most fascinating issues related to Greek heritage and Hellenism of all times. 

Welcome drink at 6.30 PM followed by talk at 7 PM

Dress code : Jacket and tie for gentlemen, business attire for ladies.

Valet parking available 

Click here to register.

Biography of Marina Lambraki-Plaka

Born in Arkalohori in Heraklion, Crete. Graduate of the Department of History and Archaeology, University of Athens (1959-1964). Postgraduate studies in Classical Archaeology on scholarship from the State Scholarship Foundation (SSF) on “Pre-Socratic Philosophy and Art”.

Attended the lectures on the History of Art by the Professor Pantelis Prevelakis at the Athens School of Fine Arts (1965-1968). Postgraduate studies in the History and Sociology of Art in Paris at Sorbonne (Paris I), (SSF scholarship, 1968-1971). Doctorat d’État ès Lettres with honours (Paris I, Sorbonne) on Bourdelle and Greece (1973). Unanimously elected Professor at the Chair of History of Art at the Athens School of Fine Arts (1975). First woman professor in the history of the Athens School of Fine Arts. Taught as visiting professor in several universities in France, the U.S. and the School of Philosophy of  the University of Crete at Rethymnon.

Director of the National Gallery-Alexandros Soutzos Museum since 1992.

During her tenure as director, the National Gallery was refurbished, new annexes opened (Corfu, Nafplio, the National Glyptotheque at Goudi), 3,000 works of art were acquired, including two masterpieces by Theotokopoulos (El Greco), major exhibitions by Greek and international artists were organised and well-received, logging approximately 5 million visits. All these activities were funded between 60-100% by sponsorship.

After several years of efforts, the study for the expansion of the National Gallery building has been completed, adding 11,040 square meters, more than doubling the gallery’s exhibition space and updating the gallery in form and function. The study is mature and has been ratified; the project is scheduled for implementation by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism under NSRF.

Received numerous awards, including the Kazantzakis Prize of the City of Heraklion, Crete (1985), the 1st State Prize for Essay and Criticism for her book On Painting – Alberti and Leonardo (1988). Awarded the Chevalier and Commander of Arts and Letters of the French Republic (1997 and 2005), the Chevalier and Commander of Arts and Letters of the Italian Republic (1994 and 2007), the Civil Order of Alfonso X the Wise by the Spanish Ministry of Culture (2000), the Gold Cross of the Order of Merit by the President of the Hellenic Republic (2004), the TEI Crete Prize (2005), the Lions International Award (2006), the XENIA Award (2006), the Ariadne Prize by the Pancretian Union of America (2009).

Published 19 books and more than 200 papers and articles in academic magazines and newspapers; she has written more than 100 essays for exhibition catalogues.

Participated in numerous academic conferences in Greece and other countries.