• Plan your visit

    Greece’s Enchanting Landscape: Watercolors by Edward Dodwell and Simone Pomardi

    October 21, 2015–February 15, 2016

    Getty Villa

    The Erechtheion, Athens

    The Erechtheion, Athens, after 1805, Simone Pomardi; watercolor. The Packard Humanities Institute
    Read Dodwell's description

  • Removal of Sculptures from the Parthenon by Lord Elgin’s Men

    Removal of Sculptures from the Parthenon by Lord Elgin’s Men, after 1801, Edward Dodwell and/or Simone Pomardi; watercolor. The Packard Humanities Institute
    Read Dodwell's description

  • Hyperia Spring, Pherai

    Hyperia Spring, Pherai, after 1805, Edward Dodwell and Filippo Maria Giuntotardi; watercolor. The Packard Humanities Institute
    Read Dodwell's description

  • The Parthenon, Athens

    The Parthenon, Athens, after 1805, Edward Dodwell; watercolor. The Packard Humanities Institute
    Read Dodwell's description

  • Village of Portaria on the Slopes of Mount Pelion

    Village of Portaria on the Slopes of Mount Pelion, after 1805, Simone Pomardi; watercolor. The Packard Humanities Institute
    Read Dodwell's description

  • A Classical and Topographical Tour through Greece during the Years 1801, 1805, and 1806, Edward Dodwell (London: 1819), vol. 1, title page. The Getty Research Institute

  • Finished Watercolor of the Temple of Aphaia at Aegina from the Southeast

    Finished Watercolor of the Temple of Aphaia at Aegina from the Southeast, after 1805, Simone Pomardi; watercolor. The Packard Humanities Institute
    Read Dodwell's description

  • View of the Acropolis from the Propylaea, Athens

    View of the Parthenon from the Propylaea, Athens, 1805, Simone Pomardi; sepia. The Packard Humanities Institute
    Read Dodwell's description

  • Temple of Poseidon, Sounion

    Temple of Poseidon, Sounion, after 1805, Simone Pomardi; watercolor. The Packard Humanities Institute
    Read Dodwell's description

  • Temple of Zeus, Nemea

    Temple of Zeus, Nemea, after 1805, Simone Pomardi; watercolor. The Packard Humanities Institute
    Read Dodwell's description

Greece’s Enchanting Landscape: Watercolors by Edward Dodwell and Simone Pomardi

October 21, 2015–February 15, 2016, Getty Villa

/ Plan your visit

“Almost every rock, every promontory, every river, is haunted by the shadows of the mighty dead,” wrote the English antiquarian Edward Dodwell of his travels in Greece in the early nineteenth century. During this time, he and the Italian artist Simone Pomardi produced around one thousand illustrations. Selected from a vast archive of their watercolors and drawings in the collection of the Packard Humanities Institute, this exhibition brings to life a vanished world that enchanted European travelers and inspired their passionate pursuit of classical antiquity. The exhibition culminates with a series of monumental panoramas of Athens rendered with exceptional detail.

This exhibition is made possible through the generous support of the Packard Humanities Institute.

Related Events

A variety of special programs complement the exhibition. All events are free, unless otherwise noted. Seating reservations are required. For reservations and information, please call (310) 440-7300 or see information on planning a visit.

TALKS
Capturing a Lost Greece: The Travel Drawings of Edward Dodwell and Simone Pomardi

Classical archaeologist John Camp takes a closer look at this rich collection of travel illustrations depicting landscapes that have since changed or vanished. Free; a ticket is required.
Sunday, November 8, 2:00 p.m.
Getty Villa: Auditorium

Learn more

The Acropolis of Athens: The Untold Story

The Athenian Acropolis lures millions of people annually who marvel at this icon of the ancient past. Yet in privileging the monuments of classical antiquity, entire eras of historical memory have been erased. Historian Thomas Gallant tells the post-antiquity story of the Acropolis and its enduring symbolism for Greek identity in the modern era. Free; a ticket is required.
Thursday, January 21, 7:30 p.m.
Getty Villa: Auditorium

COURSES
Watercolor Workshop

Join artist Elmira Adamian for a daylong watercolor workshop focusing on landscapes in antiquity. Tour the exhibition and practice plein-air watercolor techniques in the Outer Peristyle gardens. Course fee $125 (includes lunch and materials). Complimentary parking.
Sunday, November 15, 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Repeats Saturday, January 24
Getty Villa: Meeting Rooms and Outer Peristyle

Drawing from Antiquity: Architectural Landscapes

Inspired by the exhibition, sketch in the galleries and from architectural elements of the Getty Villa. Supplies are provided, and all skill levels are welcome. This is a free program. Sign-up begins 15 minutes before the start of the program at the Tour Meeting Place.
Saturday, November 21, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Getty Villa: Museum galleries

Culinary Workshop: Dining in Ancient and Modern Greece

Discover the blending of the modern and ancient worlds with Maite Gomez-Rejón of Artbites in this hands-on workshop. Explore the culinary and artistic accomplishments of Greece through a tour of the exhibition, learn ancient dining customs and prepare a class meal inspired by historical recipes and ingredients. Course fee $95. Complimentary parking. Tickets available beginning December 15.
Thursday, January 14, 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Course repeats Friday, January 15.
Getty Villa: Meeting Rooms and Museum galleries

TOURS
Curator’s Gallery Tour

David Saunders, associate curator of antiquities, leads a one-hour tour of the exhibition Greece's Enchanting Landscape: Watercolors by Edward Dodwell and Simone Pomardi, focusing on idealized views of the ancient past. Sign-up begins 15 minutes before the tour at the Tour Meeting Place.
Thursdays, October 29; November 5 and 19; December 10 and 17; January 14 and 28; and February 4 and 11; 3:00 p.m.
Getty Villa: Museum galleries

Exhibition Highlights Tour

This 50-minute tour provides an overview of the exhibition. Sign-up begins 15 minutes before the tour at the Tour Meeting Place.
Wednesdays–Friday and Mondays, November 4–February 15, 12:00 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays November 7–February 14, 1:00 p.m.

IRIS GETTY BLOG

PUBLICATIONS

Publications are available in the Getty Museum Store, by calling (310) 440-7333, or online.

MOBILE TOUR

Free GettyGuide® Multimedia Player

Mobile Gallery Icon
Take a mobile tour and hear about Dodwell’s travels in his own words. Go to getty.edu/dodwell on your smartphone; bring your own headphones or pick up a multimedia player free of charge. Join GettyLink for free Wi-Fi during your visit.

Exhibition Checklist

Plan your visit
Share