Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Spyros Papaloukas Painting





Spyros Papaloukas - Σπύρος Παπαλουκάς
1892-1957

Spyros Papaloukas is one of the truly exceptional Greek painters of the 20th century and his contribution to the development of a contemporary idiom in painting is regarded as incalculable. Papaloukas approached the Greek landscape in an original and unique way and portayed it with unprecedented power and daring.






 
Landscapes are the dominant theme of his work, which also includes portraits and still lives. Interesting aspects of his work are the murals done in temples in his homeland (he decorated several churches, including the famous Cathedral of Amfissa, 1927-1932), as well as costume design for plays.
Even today his works on Mount Athos (1923-1935), the mosaics of St. Loukas, which he studied and copied in 1925, the paintings of the Nomikos School and the decoration of the Monastery of the Great Cave (1937-1939) remain striking.






In 2006, the largest part of his work was donated to the Foundation by the artist’s daughter, Mina. Basil Theocharakis, the president of the Foundation and an artist himself, was a pupil of Papaloukas for five years. [Foundation's contact details]








During the European Heritage Days 2011 there was a small presentation of his work (by Katia Papaspiliopoulou), including tips for the preventive conservation of artworks (by Elisa Polychroniadou)


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