French assembly loans rare tapestry to Greek Parliament
France’s parliament has loaned a rare tapestry depicting “The School of Athens,” an 18th century fresco by the Italian High Renaissance master Raphael, to the Greek House.
The loan was described as a gesture of commemoration of the bicentennial of the Greek War of Independence.
In a message on Twitter, Secretary General of the Hellenic Parliament George Mylonakis thanked French lawmakers for the gesture and described the work as “an ode to Greek thought that laid the foundations of Democracy.”
The tapestry has adorned the Plenary Hall in the French assembly since 1879.
La fresque “l’Ecole d’Athènes” de Raphaël est accrochée aujourd’hui au @Parliament_GR
La tapisserie a été prêtée pour quelques mois en 🇬🇷par @AssembleeNat 🇫🇷à l’occasion du bicentenaire de l’indépendance grecque.
En présence de Patrick_Maisonnave et Konstantinos Tasoulas. pic.twitter.com/CzFaZRiMQh— La France en Grèce (@FranceenGrece) March 22, 2021
