Life and Work of Philhellene John Craxton at Benaki Museum

A very special centenary touring exhibition, celebrating the life and work of the Philhellene painter and designer John Craxton (1922-2009), is opening at the Benaki Museum today Wednesday, 13 April.

With much of his work never previously exhibited, he can only now be recognised as an unrivalled portraitist of Greek faces and places from the middle of the 20th century, the museum said in a statement. 

Featuring many unknown works from the Craxton Estate, the revelatory Benaki Museum survey will comprise 90 artworks arranged in four galleries covering every period of the artist’s career. The display ranges from prints and drawings to paintings and a vast tribute tapestry, plus photos and personal effects.

The highlight of the display will be the huge Landscape with the Elements tapestry Craxton designed and oversaw in Edinburgh while exiled under the Colonels. Inspired by traditional Cretan weaving, it sums up his love of the Greek world.

After the exhibition ends in Athens (Sept. 1), and from October 2022 until January 2023, it will travel to Crete to the Municipal Art Gallery of Chania and later it will be presented to London.

The exhibition was designed by Natalia Boura and curated by Ian Collins, who will carry out guided tours in English on the following days: 
– May 8 (Sunday), 12:00 – 13:00 
– May 21 (Saturday), 12:00 – 13:00 
– May 26 (Thursday), 18:00 – 19:00