Long-time National Gallery director Marina Lambraki-Plaka passes away

·

Marina Lambraki-Plaka, an art historian and director of the National Gallery in Athens for almost 30 years, passed away in hospital on Monday morning at the age of 83.

Having been a long-time director of the National Gallery, Lambraki-Plaka was called the “Iron Lady” of the Greek Arts.

Following her death, Greek politicians have paid tribute to the art historian and sent their condolences to her family.

“[She] served the Greek culture with dedication,” Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias, said on Twitter.

Greece’s Culture Minister, Lina Mendoni, also expressed her “real pain” at the loss of Lambraki-Plaka. The minister praised her contribution in making Greek artists such as Theodoros Vryzakis, Nikephoros Lytras and Yannis Tsarouchis better known to an international audience.

“We owe her a big thank you for the dedication, creativity and love she showed all these years in the Gallery, in art, in Greece” Mendoni said. 

“I personally thank her for her friendship and the art lessons she offered us generously, charmingly, and unforgettably. My deepest condolences to her family and friends.”

Born in Arkalochori, Crete in 1939, Lambraki-Plaka was an archaeologist and professor emeritus of Art History at the School of Fine Arts. She served as the director of the National Gallery from 1992 and as deputy minister of culture in the caretaker government of 2015.

During her tenure as president of the National Gallery, the museum expanded with new branches in Corfu, Nafplio, and the Sculpture Gallery in Goudi.

The Museum also acquired 3,000 new works, including two paintings by Domenikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco) and important exhibitions of foreign and Greek artists were organised.

greek film festival sydney new

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Hellenic spirit shines at the opening of the Odyssey Greek Festival 2025

The opening night of the 2025 Odyssey Greek Festival was a vibrant celebration of culture, memory, and community

Areti Ketime brings the spirit of rebetiko to Melbourne for the Zeibekiko Festival

The Zeibekiko Festival has returned for its third year this month with a lively Rebetika performance in Melbourne by singer Areti Ketime. 

Literary memorial in Sydney honours the legacy of esteemed scholar Dr George Kanarakis

A literary memorial in honour of Greek academic and internationally renowned linguist of Australia, Dr George Kanarakis, was held on Tuesday.

Memorial service to be held in Sydney to honour the life of Chris Felemegas

A memorial service will be held in Sydney on Sunday, October 12, to honour the life of Chris Felemegas, a figure remembered for his warmth.

Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Loverdos meets Archbishop Makarios in Sydney

Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Hellenism Abroad, Ioannis Loverdos, met with Archbishop Makarios of Australia on Tuesday.

You May Also Like

Tasmanian Parliament recognises Greek, Armenian and Assyrian genocides

The Tasmanian House of Assembly has become the third state in Australia to recognise the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides

Erdogan to be invited to Cyprus-led EU Council in push for regional dialogue

Cyprus has revealed plans to host a high-level EU Council meeting in April 2026, inviting leaders including Erdogan.

Greece surpasses COVID-19 milestone after one million vaccinations administered to public

A "wall of immunity" is being built according to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis who announced yesterday that Greece has surpassed the one million mark in Covid-19 vaccinations.