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The Greek Miracle: Classical Sculpture from the Dawn of Democracy, the Fifth Century B.C.

November 22, 1992 – February 7, 1993
East Building, Upper Level, Mezzanine

Installation view of The Greek Miracle: Classical Sculpture from the Dawn of Democracy, the Fifth Century B.C., National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., Gallery Archives

This exhibition is no longer on view at the National Gallery.

Organization: This exhibition of 34 marble and bronze sculptures represented innovations and achievements in the depiction of the ideal image of the human figure. Included were 22 works from Greece, most of which had never traveled, and 12 objects from European museums and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The show was organized to commemorate the 2,500th anniversary of the birth of democracy.

An audiovisual presentation on 5th-century B.C. Greece was shown regularly adjacent to the exhibition space. Narrated by Christopher Plummer, this presentation was made possible by a grant from Stavros Niarchos. Related tours, lectures, and a symposium were presented. The National Gallery instituted a free pass system for the exhibition.

Organization: The exhibition was organized by the National Gallery of Art in collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Ministry of Culture of the Government of Greece. Guest curator was Diana Buitron-Oliver, classical archaeologist and lecturer at Georgetown University. The Greek coordinator was Katerina Romiopoulou, director of antiquities for the Ministry of Culture of the Government of Greece.

Sponsor: The exhibition was announced during a live satellite press conference on June 4, 1992, connecting the National Gallery of Art and the Záppion exhibition center in Athens. The exhibition was made possible by Philip Morris Companies, Inc.

Attendance: 270,075

Catalog: The Greek Miracle: Classical Sculpture from the Dawn of Democracy, the Fifth Century B.C., by Diana Buitron-Oliver et al. Washington, DC: National Gallery of Art, 1992.

Brochure: The Greek Miracle: Classical Sculpture from the Dawn of Democracy, the Fifth Century B.C. Washington, DC: National Gallery of Art, 1992.
The Greek Miracle: Classical Sculpture from the Dawn of Democracy, the Fifth Century B.C. Exhibition Guide for Young People, by Janna Eggebeen and Mary Ellen Wilson. Washington, DC: National Gallery of Art, 1992.

Other Venues: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, March 11–May 23, 1993

Download a free PDF of the exhibition catalog (PDF 47.23MB)