The Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation unveils one of its most ambitious exhibitions to date: From Monet to Warhol: Three Generations, One Collection, a sweeping visual narrative that traces the evolution of modern art from the late 19th century to the dawn of contemporary culture. Presented at the Goulandris Museum in Athens, from December 6, 2025 to April 11, 2026, the exhibition brings together 83 masterpieces by 45 artists, offering visitors an extraordinary opportunity to encounter works that have shaped, challenged, and redefined the very language of art.
Juan-les-Pins. Evening (first version), 1914
A Panorama of Modernity
Spanning more than 130 years of artistic creation, the exhibition unfolds as a fluid journey through over a dozen pivotal movements — from the shimmering atmospheres of Impressionism to the bold ruptures of Cubism, the emotive intensities of Expressionism, the dreamscapes of Surrealism, and the vibrant iconography of Pop Art.
A Constellation of Masters
Among the exhibition’s highlights are works by some of the most revered figures of modern and contemporary art: Bonnard, Chagall, De Kooning, Degas, Dufy, Ernst, Gauguin, Kandinsky, Lichtenstein, Man Ray, Marquet, Modigliani, Morisot, Munch, Pissarro, Seurat, Signac, Toulouse-Lautrec, Vuillard, and many more.
These are presented alongside artists whose contributions, though sometimes less known to the broader public, played decisive roles in shaping the trajectory of modernity: Angrand, Anquetin, Denis, Feininger, Friesz, Hayet, Lacombe, Laugé, Pourtau, Ranson, Redon, Sérusier, Szafran, Vallotton, among others. Their presence enriches and complicates the narrative, revealing the continuity and diversity of artistic innovation.
Bouquet of mimosas, 1954-1955.
A Rare Collection with a Singular Vision
The exhibition is made possible through the generous loan of a Swiss private collection — an exceptional ensemble formed across three generations of passionate collectors. Guided by an instinctive eye for quality and a deep reverence for the history of painting, the collection has achieved a rare harmony: intimate yet authoritative, personal yet comprehensive.
Over the years, works from this collection have been presented in major institutions around the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA, the Royal Academy of Art, Tate Modern, the Musée d’Orsay, the Grand Palais, the Musée de l’Orangerie, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and the Beyeler Foundation. Yet this exhibition marks only the second time such a substantial portion of the collection is shown together — and the first time in Greece.
Kalf’s Mill in Knokke (Windmill in Flanders), 1894.
A Dialogue with the Goulandris Collection
Displayed within the museum’s distinctive architectural environment, these works enter a dynamic conversation with the Foundation’s permanent collection. Together, they emphasize the unique role of the collector — a figure who navigates intuition, knowledge, and love of art to form a cohesive narrative that transcends generations. This interplay reveals how private vision can illuminate public understanding, offering new perspectives on familiar masterpieces and uncovering hidden connections across time and style.
The House, circa 1947.
Curatorial Approach
The exhibition is masterfully curated by Marie Koutsomallis-Moreau, Head of Collection at the B&E Goulandris Foundation, and Marina Ferretti Bocquillon, Scientific Director Emerita of the Musée des impressionnismes Giverny.
Through their sensitive curatorial framing, the exhibition encourages visitors not only to observe but to experience the evolution of modern art — its ruptures, revolutions, and reinventions — as a living, continuous dialogue. An extensive trilingual catalogue (Greek, English, French) accompanies the exhibition, featuring detailed essays, scholarly entries, and rich visual documentation. It stands as a significant publication for researchers, students, and art enthusiasts alike.
B&E Goulandris Podcast Series
Expanding the exhibition beyond the museum walls, the Foundation presents a new five-episode chapter of the B&E Goulandris Podcasts, offering an immersive auditory journey through the exhibition.
Curators share insights into the movements and masterpieces on view, while contemporary artists — George Rorris, Andreas Kontellis, Leda Kontogiannopoulou, Andreas Georgiadis, and Manolis Anastasakos — reflect on how these historic figures shaped their own artistic paths.
Intro Photo: Louis Anquetin (1861-1932), Interior of Bruant’s club: The Mirliton, 1886-1887
Dora Trogadi
TAGS: ARTS
