The Dimitris Davis Archive in the Benaki Museum
Abstract
The archive of the artist Dimitris Davis (1905-1973) was being gifted to the Benaki Museum by the artist’s sister, Dr Eleftheria Davi, in 2008 as well as his personal library and a large number of drawings, watercolours, prints and oil paintings.
Dimitris Davis Archive was digitized in the period between June and October 2011. The digitized archival material comprises a variety of documents that range from letters, handwritten notes, bank statements, contracts for commissions, official documents from Greek and foreign authorities, brochures, invitations to and announcements of exhibitions, press clippings, photographs and drawings documenting Dimitris Davis’s work from 1920 until his death in 1973.
During the process of digitization preventive conservation measures were taken and specific interventive treatments where necessary. Some oil paintings on display and in storage at the Benaki Museum were treated as well.
The digitization of Dimitris Davis Archive enables us to study the elements that make up his artworks and draw our attention to other aspects of his artistic identity. Besides being a low profile artist with outstanding drawing skills, Davis was engaged in many activities: he raised issues of specialist terminology in Greek language and translated essays on art techniques. He played a leading role in art associations and trade unions and largely contributed to achieve statutory law for artists through the Association of Freelance Artists, the Associated Unions of the Fine Arts and later through the Greek Chamber of Fine Arts, of which he was a founding member. He also constantly worked in book illustration, newspapers and magazines.
An in-depth study of his Archive will enlighten aspects of his artistic personality and promote deeper awareness of his work. Moreover it will facilitate research on issues such as solidarity among artists, legislation, the art market and the promotion of visual arts in Greece at the time Dimitris Davis was active. The archive of the artist Dimitris Davis (1905-1973) was being gifted to the Benaki Museum by the artist’s sister, Dr Eleftheria Davi, in 2008 as well as his personal library and a large number of drawings, watercolours, prints and oil paintings.
Dimitris Davis Archive was digitized in the period between June and October 2011. The digitized archival material comprises a variety of documents that range from letters, handwritten notes, bank statements, contracts for commissions, official documents from Greek and foreign authorities, brochures, invitations to and announcements of exhibitions, press clippings, photographs and drawings documenting Dimitris Davis’s work from 1920 until his death in 1973. During the process of digitization preventive conservation measures were taken and specific interventive treatments where necessary. Some oil paintings on display and in storage at the Benaki Museum were treated as well.
The digitization of Dimitris Davis Archive enables us to study the elements that make up his artworks and draw our attention to other aspects of his artistic identity. Besides being a low profile artist with outstanding drawing skills, Davis was engaged in many activities: he raised issues of specialist terminology in Greek language and translated essays on art techniques. He played a leading role in art associations and trade unions and largely contributed to achieve statutory law for artists through the Association of Freelance Artists, the Associated Unions of the Fine Arts and later through the Greek Chamber of Fine Arts, of which he was a founding member. He also constantly worked in book illustration, newspapers and magazines.
An in-depth study of his Archive will enlighten aspects of his artistic personality and promote deeper awareness of his work. Moreover it will facilitate research on issues such as solidarity among artists, legislation, the art market and the promotion of visual arts in Greece at the time Dimitris Davis was active.
Dimitris Davis Archive was digitized in the period between June and October 2011. The digitized archival material comprises a variety of documents that range from letters, handwritten notes, bank statements, contracts for commissions, official documents from Greek and foreign authorities, brochures, invitations to and announcements of exhibitions, press clippings, photographs and drawings documenting Dimitris Davis’s work from 1920 until his death in 1973.
During the process of digitization preventive conservation measures were taken and specific interventive treatments where necessary. Some oil paintings on display and in storage at the Benaki Museum were treated as well.
The digitization of Dimitris Davis Archive enables us to study the elements that make up his artworks and draw our attention to other aspects of his artistic identity. Besides being a low profile artist with outstanding drawing skills, Davis was engaged in many activities: he raised issues of specialist terminology in Greek language and translated essays on art techniques. He played a leading role in art associations and trade unions and largely contributed to achieve statutory law for artists through the Association of Freelance Artists, the Associated Unions of the Fine Arts and later through the Greek Chamber of Fine Arts, of which he was a founding member. He also constantly worked in book illustration, newspapers and magazines.
An in-depth study of his Archive will enlighten aspects of his artistic personality and promote deeper awareness of his work. Moreover it will facilitate research on issues such as solidarity among artists, legislation, the art market and the promotion of visual arts in Greece at the time Dimitris Davis was active. The archive of the artist Dimitris Davis (1905-1973) was being gifted to the Benaki Museum by the artist’s sister, Dr Eleftheria Davi, in 2008 as well as his personal library and a large number of drawings, watercolours, prints and oil paintings.
Dimitris Davis Archive was digitized in the period between June and October 2011. The digitized archival material comprises a variety of documents that range from letters, handwritten notes, bank statements, contracts for commissions, official documents from Greek and foreign authorities, brochures, invitations to and announcements of exhibitions, press clippings, photographs and drawings documenting Dimitris Davis’s work from 1920 until his death in 1973. During the process of digitization preventive conservation measures were taken and specific interventive treatments where necessary. Some oil paintings on display and in storage at the Benaki Museum were treated as well.
The digitization of Dimitris Davis Archive enables us to study the elements that make up his artworks and draw our attention to other aspects of his artistic identity. Besides being a low profile artist with outstanding drawing skills, Davis was engaged in many activities: he raised issues of specialist terminology in Greek language and translated essays on art techniques. He played a leading role in art associations and trade unions and largely contributed to achieve statutory law for artists through the Association of Freelance Artists, the Associated Unions of the Fine Arts and later through the Greek Chamber of Fine Arts, of which he was a founding member. He also constantly worked in book illustration, newspapers and magazines.
An in-depth study of his Archive will enlighten aspects of his artistic personality and promote deeper awareness of his work. Moreover it will facilitate research on issues such as solidarity among artists, legislation, the art market and the promotion of visual arts in Greece at the time Dimitris Davis was active.
Article Details
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Αλεξάκη Ε., Παπαχρίστου Κ. Α., & Πολυχρονιάδου Ε. (2010). The Dimitris Davis Archive in the Benaki Museum. Mouseio Benaki Journal, 10, 203–216. https://doi.org/10.12681/benaki.34
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- Vol. 10 (2010)
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