The exhibition has been organized by the Ephorate of Antiquities of West Attica in the context of the bicentenary celebrations of the 1821 Greek War of Independence, and approaches the years before and during the Revolution from a different perspective that goes beyond the actual military events.
The exhibition consists of two thematic units that occupy the two ground-floor rooms of the east wing of the post-Byzantine monks’ cells.
The main theme of the exhibition that unfolds in the first Room is the philhellenic movement that emerged in the pre-revolutionary period and introduced the public to the demand for Greece’s liberation.
A selection of decorative or utilitarian objects, decorated with Greek themes in line with the atmosphere of the time are exhibited in the first Room. They constitute authentic philhellenic works that belong to the Thanassis and Marina Martinos Collection and most of them are presented to the public for the first time.
The philhellenic sculptures, paintings and works of minor arts of the Martinos Collection are "interacting" with contemporary monotypes by the archaeologist and painter Manto Papaioannou, rendered specifically for the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the 1821 Struggle.
The second thematic unit of the exhibition that occupies the second Room focuses on the Daphni Monastery, as this was depicted by foreign travellers in the 17th and the 18th century, and on the role of the mononastery in the events that took place during the Greek War of Independence.
Here are displayed works mainly by travellers (gravures, oil paintings) centred on the Daphni Monastery and the surrounding area during the 19th century, from the Martinos Collection and also from the collection of the architect and researcher of historical documents Yannis Inglessis.
The exhibition is organized in collaboration with AEGEAS Non-Profit Civil Company.
