The influence of classical Greece permeated the United Kingdom, most notably during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries when fascination with ancient Greek art and architecture catalysed the neoclassical movement.
This movement not only inspired landmark structures across the UK but also resonated deeply in British artistic circles, helping to forge lasting connections between Greece and the UK.
Athens’ Architectural Influence
The architectural marvels of ancient Athens, especially the Parthenon, set a standard of beauty, balance and proportion that captivated British architects.
John Nash and his contemporaries looked to echo the grandeur of Athens’ classical past in their own works, leading to the adoption of Greek Revival styles in Britain, and Nash, the architect responsible for Buckingham Palace’s western facade, drew heavily on ancient Greek designs.
Public buildings such as the British Museum and the National Gallery are perfect examples of how ancient Athens left an indelible mark on Britain’s architectural landscape.
This fascination was further ignited when the Elgin Marbles (the Parthenon sculptures) were brought to Britain in the early nineteenth century. These relics of classical Athens became a source of inspiration for British artists and sculptors.
The intricate friezes and statues of the Parthenon directly influenced the works of the Royal Academy and The Royal Mint. One notable figure influenced by these sculptures was Benedetto Pistrucci, the famed engraver of The Royal Mint, who embraced the Neoclassical style in his iconic design featuring St George and the dragon for the modern Sovereign released in 1817.
In sculpture and art, the ideals of classical beauty – symmetry, proportion and grace – found a new home in the UK, with nineteenth-century British sculptors looking to Athens for inspiration.
Figures such as Sir Richard Westmacott, who sculpted the pediment sculptures of the British Museum, were deeply influenced by the grandeur of ancient Greek art. Now housed in the British Museum, the Parthenon sculptures played a key role in this artistic revival.
A Legacy of Cultural Exchange
Cultural exchanges between Athens and the UK go far beyond architecture and art. Scholars, diplomats and travellers have journeyed between these two great nations for centuries, trading ideas and fostering a mutual admiration for each other’s history. British archaeologists and scholars played a significant role in the rediscovery of ancient Greek ruins during the nineteenth century, which further solidified the bond between these two countries.
The coin features a panoramic view of Athens, capturing the city’s most iconic landscape. The image is based on historical engravings and illustrations, translating them into a miniature, yet highly detailed, work of art.
To capture the cityscape of Athens on a coin requires more than just artistry – it demands precision engineering combined with traditional methods. The challenge of capturing the Athens’ skyline on a small coin was addressed using high-relief engraving, which allows for depth and clarity in even the most intricate details of the coin’s surface.
Special attention was given to the Parthenon, which stands as a symbol of Athens’ cultural and artistic legacy. The use of modern technology has allowed for the incorporation of minute details, ensuring the design is visually striking at a reduced scale.
The City Views Athens coin symbolises this enduring relationship, encapsulating the historical connections that have helped shape Britain’s cultural landscape. Whether through architecture, sculpture or intellectual exchange, the legacy of ancient Athens continues to influence Britain today, a legacy that this coin preserves for future generations.
