Prometheus Unleashed, an impressive four-meter painting belonging to the Tatoya collection, a work of artistic value as well as historical significance to Greece and Denmark, is now classified as a monument. Yesterday’s positive opinion from the YPPOA Central Board of New Monuments “not only provides an opportunity to start a deeper investigation to document this work of art,” says speaker and head of the New Cultural Heritage Office Stavrula Fotopulu “K”, “but it also highlights an unusual story with national symbolism for both Greeks and Danes”.

William, a seventeen-year-old boy from Copenhagen, a descendant of a prominent Danish family who has destined him for a military career, is informed by the ambassadors of the great powers that the course of his life is changing. The young prince, who, as George I, will become the longest-reigning king in modern Greek history, when he learns his future, turns to the most famous artist of his country, ordering the painting to be taken with him to his new homeland. The artist is the then famous Carl Bloch, the favorite artist of the royal house. The play has a theme from Greek mythology. Prometheus Unleashed, exhibited in Copenhagen in 1864, created a sensation both in its art and in its significance.

For the Danes, the mythological hero freed by Hercules when the latter’s arrow pierces the kite is a consolation and hope for a better future. Their small country was defeated by mighty Prussia in the Schleswig-Holstein War, but heroism does honor to their struggle. But also for the Greeks, who are waiting for a new king, hoping that the young state will be able to expand its borders, this redeemed Prometheus is the hope of justification.

“Obviously, these symbols need to be confirmed,” says Ms. Fotopulu. “However, we know that because of its size and evangelical character, the work occupied a prominent place in the palaces of Athens. Further study of both the conditions of the commission and the three exhibitions in which it was featured at the time is needed, and there is indeed interest in Denmark.”

It should be noted that in chronological order, this was the fourth act of designating monuments from the collections of works of art and objects of Tatoi, starting from 2010, while the selection is ongoing. Prometheus Lyomen, now completely preserved, will be used in the exhibition of the former royal palaces (which will become a museum), which will be completed by 2025.