A Farm at the National Glyptotheque

In Modern Greek sculpture, the dominant theme in the field of representation is the human form. Animal sculpture occupies a secondary place, explored by certain sculptors-usually, however, on an occasional basis.

Within the Sculpture Collection of the National Gallery, works by artists such as Polignotos Vagis (1894–1965), Thanasis Apartis (1899–1972), Bella Raftopoulou (1902–1992), Christos Kapralos (1909–1993), Euripidis Vavouris (1911–1987), Antonis Karahalios (1919–2009), Kostas Karahalios (1923–2007), Natalia Mela (1924–2019), Yannis Antoniadis (1935–2001), and Nikolas Dogoulis (1937–2013) offer a representative glimpse into this side of their creative work. The only artist who systematically devoted herself to animal sculpture was Froso Efthymiadis Menegaki (1911–1995), while Euripidis Vavouris was the first to work consistently on animal forms.

Among the works belonging to the collection, only those suitable in size and material for outdoor display have been placed in The Farm. Pieces by Bella Raftopoulou, Antonis Karahalios, Yannis Antoniadis, Nikolas Dogoulis, and especially Froso Efthymiadis Menegaki create a magical visual environment seamlessly integrated into the park’s natural landscape-with both familiar and lesser-known figures in characteristic poses. At the same time, they reveal each artist’s personal relationship, emotions, and gaze toward the animals or birds they chose to depict: the tenderness for their own pet or a neighbor’s, as well as the fascination inspired by unfamiliar animals used as models. They convey the intimacy formed with animals that populate everyday life, but also the awe evoked by the power, grandeur, and mystery of wild creatures.

Moreover, The Farm, which will be permanently displayed in the already landscaped outdoor space of the National Glyptotheque, offers visitors the chance to discover a rare yet compelling theme in sculpture. Through the unique approach and style of each artist-ranging from vivid realism to simplicity and abstraction-this exhibition spans from the 1940s to the 1970s, illuminating a distinct chapter of modern Greek art.

The exhibition opening will be accompanied by a musical event titled “Antonio’s Farm: Soundscapes and Symbols in the Music of Antonio Vivaldi”, performed by the Athens Classical Players, the String Ensemble of the Athens State Orchestra, performing without a conductor.

Exhibition Curator:
Tonia Giannoudaki, Curator of the Modern Greek and European Sculpture Collection, National Gallery – Alexandros Soutsos Museum

Exhibition Team:
General Director – Artistic Programming: Syrago Tsiara
Concept – Curation – Coordination: Tonia Giannoudaki
Architectural Design and Supervision: Giorgos Parmenidis, Iphigenia Mari
Directorate of Collections, Artistic and Museological Programming: Efi Agathonikou
Directorate of Conservation and Physicochemical Research of Artworks: Agni Terlixi
Directorate of Administration and Finance: Katerina Arvanitaki
Conservation: Maria Kliafa (Head of Sculpture Conservation Lab), Giorgos Garganidis
Financial Management: Eirini Antoniadi, Dimitra Anagnostopoulou
Technical Consultant: Eirini-Dafni Sapka

Antonio’s Farm: Soundscapes and Symbols in the Music of Antonio Vivaldi

Athens • Classical • Players
String Ensemble of the Athens State Orchestra, performing without a conductor

Selected excerpts from The Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns, conceived as musical portraits of the animal kingdom, are interwoven with works by Antonio Vivaldi distinguished for their ingenious and elaborate imitation of the sounds of Nature. Vivaldi’s vividly dynamic musical writing evokes intense weather phenomena and scenes from the enchanting Italian countryside, constructing a multidimensional soundscape that accentuates the theatricality of the characters in Saint-Saëns’ beloved and popular work.

With the music of Vivaldi and Saint-Saëns, the Athens Classical Players bring to life the silent nature of the sculptures, creating a parallel sonic farm brimming with color. The musical reliefs of the sculptures, shaped by Saint-Saëns’ short musical motifs, emerge through Vivaldi’s masterful compositions. The concertos for two and four violins, culminating in the passionate La Folia (Madness), introduce an almost Orwellian dimension to this immaterial union of sculpture and sound.

Athens Classical Players
Violins: Giorgos Mandylas (concertmaster), Ioanna Gaitani, Christoforos Karathanasis, Iris Louka, Triantafyllos Loukas, Nikolaos Beis, Maria Tsogia-Razakova
Violas: Antilochos Tranos, Petros Vlassis
Cellos: Asterios Pouftis, Christina Koutrou
Double Bass: Haris Pazaroulas