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Tracing Freud on the Acropolis

This summer Tracing Freud on the Acropolis curated by Marina Maniadaki, opened at the Freud Museum bringing together archives, images and objects exploring Freud’s journey to Greece, and his encounter with the Acropolis. The exhibition opened to critical acclaim receiving fours stars from The Guardian.

Tracing Freud on the Acropolis at Freud Museum London. Exhibition space at Freud Museum, London
© Photography by Andreas Atridis / Freud Museum London

Tracing Freud on the Acropolis

Sigmund Freud was already “a man of mature years” when he travelled to Athens for the first and last time in 1904, accompanied by his younger brother, Alexander. Greek history and mythology deeply inspired him since childhood, but the trip was the result of unexpected changes to his travel plans that year.

“By the evidence of my senses I am now standing on the Acropolis, 

but I cannot believe it”

Sigmund Freud, 1936

When he reached the top of the Acropolis hill, gazing toward the sea, Freud experienced a feeling of astonishment and disbelief that puzzled him for decades. In 1936, he wrote about his experience in an open letter to French author Romain Rolland – the text, titled ‘A Disturbance of Memory on the Acropolis’ is now considered a key point of reference.

Tracing Freud on the Acropolis continues until January 7th 2024 with a supporting public programme of online and in-person events running until December 2023. You can see upcoming talks and courses, as well as book your tickets for the exhibition via the museum website here.

Spectrum were delighted to produce large vinyl prints for aspects of this engaging and enlightening exhibition.