Art Funded by you

The Monument to Philopappos, Athens

Giovanni Battista Lusieri, c. 1805–1807

The artist's only known oil painting, and one of only a handful of works to have survived from his residence of twenty years in Athens. The work has a close connection to Scotland through the long-term patronage of Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin (of Elgin Marbles fame). Lusieri worked as the Earl's resident artist and agent, in which capacity he was closely involved in the removal and transport of the Parthenon marbles and other antiquities. This arresting, hyper-realist image shows the funerary monument raised in ad 114-16 to Gaius Julius Antiochos Epiphanes Philopappos in Athens. The monument, survives today in much the same state as Lusieri recorded it. This work was acquired with assistance from the Wolfson Foundation.

More information

Title of artwork, date

The Monument to Philopappos, Athens, c. 1805–1807

Date supported

2007

Medium and material

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

82.5 x 62.2 cm

Grant

100000

Total cost

300000

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

Art Funded by you FAQs

Why is this object record marked 'archive'?
Where can I see this work of art? Is it on display?
What is Art Fund's purpose?
How is Art Fund funded?
What type of funding do you offer?
What does the acquisition grants programme support and who can apply?
How many works of art has Art Fund helped museums to acquire?
I’m a curator/researcher/arts professional and would like to find out more about this work, how do I get in touch?
I’m a journalist and would like to contact Art Fund about this work, how do I get in touch?
I would like to donate a work of art to a museum. What do I need to do?
I'd like to leave a gift to Art Fund in my will. How can I do this?

Contact us

If you have a question about a work of art in our archive, please contact the Programmes team. We’ll be happy to answer your enquiry.