If rare publications, collections, foreign-language books, and archival documents attest to the Onassis Foundation’s dedication to education and culture, the works of art that embellish the Onassis Library confirm this commitment.

Spanning a broad spectrum of artistic movements and historical periods, which are in ongoing dialogue with one another, this art collection—part of the Onassis Collection—invites the viewer to immerse themselves in history. From the egg tempera paintings on gold background by icon painter Theodoros Poulakis, Yannis Tsarouchis’ study on “Winter,” Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika’s “Large Studio with Easels and Sculpture,” Konstantinos Parthenis’ “Landscape—The Garden of Olives,” and Konstantinos Volanakis’ “Ships on the Horizon” to the work-symbol on learning, “The Young Sage” by Nikolaos Gyzis, and the works by multimedia artist Lucas Samaras, each artwork has a story to tell to those who gaze upon it.

A prominent place within the Onassis Library occupies “The Coronation of the Virgin” by Doménikos Theotokópoulos (El Greco), part of the iconography commissioned to the painter in 1603 for the grand chapel of the Hospital of Charity in Illescas. The “Coronation” is a fully realized preparatory sketch for the composition at the central altar. Its placement above the depiction of “The Virgin of Mercy” (by El Greco) highlights the close connection between the Virgin’s compassion and her enthronement in the heavens.

Among the most iconic objects in the Onassis Library, one bearing a unique emotional and historical value, is the Steinway & Sons Baby Grand model “S” piano made in 1954. This remarkable acquisition was purchased by Aristotle Onassis for Maria Callas and was permanently housed on the yacht “Christina.”