The exhibition Countless Aspects of Beauty in Ancient Art: From the Collections of the Hellenic National Archaeological Museum was unveiled on November 5 at the National Museum of China. The event is jointly hosted by the National Museum of China, the Greek Ministry of Culture, and the Hellenic National Archaeological Museum.
The exhibition features 279 precious relics (sets) from the collections of the Hellenic National Archaeological Museum in Athens, including pottery, bronzes, gold and silverware, glassware, frescoes and sculptures. They offer an in-depth exploration of ancient Greek art through four sections: “Aesthetica Aeterna”, “The Beautiful and the Desirable”, “Focusing on the Body” and “The Endless Quest”. The exhibits range from imaginative everyday utensils to exquisite artifacts related to clothing, hairstyles and beautification, culminating in remarkable sculptures of the human body. Together, they showcase 5000 years of the ancient Greeks’ relentless pursuit of beauty and their diverse creations in its name, spanning from the late Neolithic age to the 1st century BCE.
The exhibition highlights the central role of “beauty” in ancient Greek culture, and the self-transcendence of ancient Greeks through the exploration of beauty. It invites visitors to reflect on the enduring significance of beauty and its profound value to humanity.
The exhibition is open until June 5, 2025.
Source: National Museum of China