Modern Greek art

Theodore Vryzakis, The sortie of Messologhi

Although ancient Greek painters, artists of the Minoan civilization left us unique specimens of wall paintings, no painting works from classical antiquity have come down to us, excepting names of famous Greek painters. On the other hand, the Byzantine period produced completely different but equally significant paintings. Religion is the underlying driving force for the Greek painters of Byzantium - Domenico Theotocopoulos, or El Greco, deserves particular reference. This Greek painter was recognized as one of Europe’s greatest painters of all ages. He combined Byzantine tradition with Venetian art and the artistic style of Toledo (Spain) to form his particular style known as Greco’s style.

Greek Art evolved beyond this and took in a variety of influences from the Romanticist period, most notably Italian (and as mentioned more specifically, Venetian), the culmination of this was the distinctive style of Greek Romanticist art, inspired by revolutionary ideals as well as the geography and History of the country. Modern Greek has moved beyond this and has become a key area of focus of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture.

The artists who occupy a central position in the history of Greek art include: Pavlos Prosalentis, who is considered to be the first sculptor to work in an academic style at the beginning of the 19th century; Yannoulis Chalepas, a truly unique talent and personality; Dimitrios Filippotis and his classicizing yet realistic depiction of the human figure; Costas Dimitriadis with his Rodin-like style; and, later, Thanassis Apartis and Christos Kapralos.

The 19th Century

Many early Greek painters followed postgraduate studies in Munich. After centuries of Ottoman rule, few opportunities existed in Greece itself, immediately after independence, so study abroad was imperative for artists. Both academic and personal bonds developed between early Greek painters and Munich giving rise to the Greek "Munich School" of painting. This early period in Greece is dominated by German academism resulting from the influence of the Academy of Munich which many Greek artists attended. Many of these Munich School artists were interested in painting everyday Greek life, local customs, and living conditions. Several important painters emerge at this time. Theodoros Vryzakis specialized in historical painting and especially inspired by the 1821 Greek War of Independence. Nikiphoros Lytras concentrated on realistic depictions of Greek life. Nikolaos Gyzis painted a wide variety of works. Georgios Iakovides devoted his attention to infants and children. Constantinos Volanakis painted the Greek sea.

Many Greek artists of this period also drew upon Greco's style for inspiration, particularly when creating art based around religious themes, this ties in with the idea of modern secular Greek art of the period referencing more classical styles, while religious art referenced Byzantine, or Byzantine inspired art.

Modern Period

Gradually the impressionists and other modern schools increased their influence. In the early 20th century Greek artists turned from Munich to Paris. The interest of Greek painters, artists changes from historical representations to Greek landscapes with an emphasis on light and colours so much abundant in Greece. Representatives of this artistic change are Konstantinos Parthenis, Konstantinos Maleas, Nicolaos Lytras and Georgios Bouzianis. K. Parthenis, in particular, introduces historical, religious and mythological elements that allow the classification of Greek painting into modern art. The same is true with the landscapes of K. Maleas and the expressionism of G. Bouzianis. The period of 1930’s was a landmark for the Greek painters, with Yiannis Tsarouchis, Yiannis Moralis, Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghikas, Spyros Vassileiou, Alekos Kontopoulos (introduced abstraction in Greek paintings) and Spyros Papaloukas coming into the limelight of Greek Art. These painters tried mainly to combine leading European trends with Greek tradition.

Architecture

Greek architecture following the revolution was either based around Byzantine Architecture if it was church based, or Neo-Classical styles that were popular in Europe at the time, occasionally the two clashed creating simple yet beautiful examples of Byzantine-Classical styles.

External Links

• Hellenic Ministry of Culture