Museum of Cycladic Art Athina, Greece

The Nicholas P. Goulandris Foundation - Museum of Cycladic Art is one of the great museums of Athens. It houses a notable collection of artifacts of Cycladic art.

The museum was founded in 1986 in order to house the collection of Cycladic and Ancient Greek art belonging to Nicholas and Dolly Goulandris. Starting in the early 1960s, the couple collected Greek antiquities, with special interest in the prehistoric art from the Cyclades islands of the Aegean Sea. The Museum's main building, erected in the centre of Athens in 1985, was designed by the Greek architect Ioannis Vikelas. In 1991, the Museum acquired a new wing, the neo-classical Stathatos Mansion at the corner of Vassilissis Sofias Avenue and Herodotou Street.

The Museum of Cycladic Art (MCA) is a small but prestigious archaeological museum located at the heart of Athens, Greece.

It contains one of the most celebrated collections of Early Cycladic culture worldwide, as well as extensive collections of Ancient Greek and Cypriot art.

The museum organizes major exhibitions on the archaeology of the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as innovative presentations on the relations between ancient and modern art.

The MCA is a private institution functioning under the auspices of the Nicholas and Dolly Goulandris Foundation (a non-profit organization) and the supervision of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture.

A. HISTORY

The Collection
In the early 1960s, Nicholas and Dolly Goulandris began to collect ancient Greek and Cycladic artefacts, after being granted official permission by the Greek government. Gradually, they managed to build an important collection, which became subject to study by distinguished scholars, mainly because of its exquisite Cycladic marble figurines. During the 1970s and early 1980s, the collection was presented in major museums around the world (British Museum at London, Grand Palais at Paris, National Gallery at Washington DC, Museum of Fine Arts at Houston, Museum of Western Art at Tokyo, etc.). In 1985, after the death of her husband, Dolly Goulandris founded the "N.P. Goulandris Foundation" in his memory, and donated the world-famous collection to the new public institution.

The Museum
The Museum of Cycladic Art opened its doors to the public in January 1986, and is now a thriving institution in the heart of Athens. With the aim of communicating with the general public, it organises temporary exhibitions devoted to archaeology and contemporary art, educational programs, creative activities for children and families, lectures, one-day conferences and seminars. A rich publication record contributes to the scholarly documentation of collections and temporary exhibits, and the education of our young visitors.

Today, the MCA contains over 3.000 artefacts of Cycladic, Ancient Greek and Ancient Cypriot Art, which provide testimony to the cultural developments and interactions that took place in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean from the 4th millennium BC to the 6th c. AD.

B. THE COLLECTIONS

Cycladic Culture
A unique selection of 3rd millennium BC marble figurines and vessels from the Aegean islands (Cyclades), which have provided a major source of inspiration for early 20th century artists.

Ancient Greek Art
A representative sample of artifacts from all periods of ancient Greek history (2000 BC - AD 395), including pottery vases, terracotta figurines, marble sculpture, bronze tools and weapons, gold jewellery, coins, glass vessels, etc.

Ancient Cypriot Art
A rich selection of artifacts from Cyprus, the melting pot of ancient Mediterranean cultures. It includes unique stone models of the human form, bronze artifacts, pottery, glass vessels, and high-quality gold jewellery, dating from the Chalcolithic era to the Early Byzantine period.

C. THE BUILDINGS

The MCA is housed in three interconnected buildings:
- The Main Building, a modern structure in marble and granite designed by the architect Ioannis Vikelas (1986), houses the permanent collections, a conference hall, the Cafe and the Museum Shop.
- The Stathatos Mansion, an exquisite Neo-classical building designed by the Bavarian architect Ernst Ziller (1895), houses temporary exhibitions and administration.
- The New Wing, an extension to the Main Building, houses the Department of Educational Programs and offers extra exhibition space.

D. OPENING HOURS

Monday: 10.00 - 17.00
Tuesday: closed
Wednesday: 10.00 - 17.00
Thursday: 10.00 - 20.00
Friday: 10.00 - 17.00
Saturday: 10.00 - 17.00
Sunday: 11.00 - 17.00

Public holidays (museum is closed):
1 January, Shrove Monday, 25 March, Easter, Easter Monday, 1 May, Spirit Monday, 15 August, 25 December, 26 December
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