Greece
Aesop (Latin: Aisopos,) was a legendary philosopher and fable poet of ancient Hellas.
Researchers still argue whether it was a real person or behind this name is a collective image. According to Herodotus, Aesop was a slave and lived about 620-564 BC. The birthplace of the poet-fable writer is considered to be Phrygia, which is located on the peninsula of Asia Minor. Aesop was a slave of the Hellenic Iadamon, who lived on the island of Samos, who later granted the fable writer freedom.
The talented Greek was known not only for his fables, but also for his famous sayings and parables. Aesop's allegorical and moralizing fables are characterized by brevity and wisdom. In them he ridiculed all sorts of human vices - greed, cunning, greed, self-love and envy. The main characters of fables, as a rule, were animals, and the characters of the plot sometimes also acted as people and the gods of Olympus.
Aesop's original works have not survived. The most ancient "fables of Aesop" have reached us in later poetic revisions - (Latin) Phaedrus (I century), (Greek) Babrius (II century) and (Latin) Avianus (early V century). Aesop's work has left a significant trace in European culture, and his aphorisms have become well-known, remaining relevant today. And the hidden subtext of the work is called Aesopian language. Today's readers know these works in the arrangements of Jean de La Fontaine, Ivan Krylov, Gulak-Artemovsky and other fable writers.
Constantine Andreou (Greek Κωνσταντίνος Ανδρέου; Portuguese: Constantine Andreou) is a Greek artist and sculptor of Brazilian origin who had a very successful career for six decades. Many have praised Andreou as an outstanding figure in international art in the 20th century.
Constantin Andreou fought in the Greek army during World War II and joined the armed resistance after the occupation of Greece. After the war ended, Andreou received a scholarship from the French government in 1945 and moved to Paris. There, in 1947, he developed an innovative artistic technique in which he welded brass plates together for the first time. This technique allowed him to find new forms of expression in sculpture and made him an innovator of his time.
During his time in Paris, the artist worked for a time with Le Corbusier. Andreou's works were exhibited alongside those of famous artists such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and Max Ernst, which testifies to his outstanding artistic achievements.
Aratus Solensis was an ancient Greek didactic poet.
It is known that he was a native of the ancient city of Soli in Cilicia, and studied under the famous philosophers of his time in Ephesus, Cos and Athens. Around 276 BC, Aratus was invited to the court of the Macedonian king Antigonus II Gonatus and expounded in verse his victory over the Gauls. Here he also wrote his most famous work in modern times, the hexameter poem Phenomena, which sets forth the astronomical knowledge of the time. He then spent some time at the court of Antiochus I Soter of Syria and returned to Macedonia.
The poet's second extant poem is Diosemeia ("On the Omens of the Weather"). These two poems by Aratus were very popular in both the Greek and Roman worlds. He was translated and quoted by Ovid and Cicerone, and a translation into Arabic was made in the 9th century.
In addition to poetry, Aratus practiced medicine, grammar, and philosophy.
Aristotle (Greek: Ἀριστοτέλης) was an Ancient Greek philosopher and polymath, renowned for his profound impact on Western philosophy and science. Born in Stagira, Chalcidice, Aristotle's intellectual ventures spanned a multitude of subjects, including but not limited to physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology.
Educated in Plato's Academy in Athens, Aristotle distinguished himself as a scholar of vast knowledge and influence. His foundational works laid the groundwork for the development of modern science, while his teachings on logic and the syllogistic method continue to resonate in the realm of philosophy. As the tutor of Alexander the Great and the founder of the Lyceum in Athens, Aristotle's legacy extends beyond his prolific writings, with his teachings shaping medieval scholarship and influencing both Judeo-Islamic and Christian theologies.
Among Aristotle's notable works, his treatises such as "Nicomachean Ethics," "Politics," "Metaphysics," and "Poetics" have been studied for centuries. His concept of the "Golden Mean," advocating for a balanced and moderate approach to life, remains a cornerstone of ethical philosophy. His ideas on the "Prime Mover" and empirical evidence as a basis for understanding the world laid the foundation for scientific inquiry. Although only about a third of his original output has survived, Aristotle's contributions continue to be a subject of academic study and admiration.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, the philosophical and scientific principles of Aristotle's works are not just historical artifacts but living ideas that continue to shape our understanding of the world and our place within it. His insights into the "good life" and the pursuit of happiness are as relevant today as they were in ancient Greece.
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Vladimir Davydovych Burliuk (Russian: Владимир Давидович Бурлюк) was a Ukrainian avant-garde artist, known for his contributions as a Neo-Primitivist and Cubo-Futurist. Born on March 27, 1886, in the Russian Empire, Burliuk's work spanned various mediums, including painting and book illustration. His art is celebrated for its bold experimentation and pioneering spirit in the early 20th century avant-garde movement. Burliuk's life was tragically cut short when he died at the age of 32 during World War I in 1917.
Burliuk's artistic output is characterized by its innovative approach and his involvement in the avant-garde circles that radically transformed Russian art. His works were part of significant avant-garde exhibitions and movements, showcasing his commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional art. Among his notable works are contributions to publications and exhibitions that captured the essence of the avant-garde, such as "Sadok Sudei (A Trap for Judges)" in 1910 and "Moloko kobylits (Milk of Mares)" in 1914. His art is recognized for its unique body of works, blending Cubism, Rayonism, and elements of Futurism, marked by stylistic unity and high valuation by connoisseurs.
Burliuk's legacy extends beyond his own creations; his involvement with key figures and movements of the time, including his brother David Burliuk, further emphasizes his role in shaping modern art. Despite his early death, Vladimir Burliuk's work remains a testament to the vibrancy and dynamism of the avant-garde movement, with his pieces held in high regard by collectors and experts alike.
For those interested in exploring the depths of avant-garde art, Burliuk's oeuvre offers a fascinating glimpse into the revolutionary spirit of early 20th-century artistic exploration. His contributions continue to inspire and intrigue art lovers, underscoring the lasting impact of his brief but impactful career.
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Marin Carburi of Ceffalonie was a Greek military engineer from Kefalonia.
Carburi studied mathematics at the University of Bologna, but later had to flee and became an officer in Catherine the Great's Russian army. He became famous for being able to transport the infamous Grom Stone from the Gulf of Finland to St. Petersburg to serve as a pedestal for the equestrian statue of Peter the Great.
The history of this engineering feat is quite remarkable. The French architect Falcone, who was commissioned to create a monument to Peter the Great, decided that traditional pedestals for equestrian statues were too banal for this project, and decided that only a massive rock would do. After a long search for a suitable rock, a peasant informed the commission created for this purpose that he had found a huge rock measuring forty by twenty-seven by twenty-one feet in a swamp near the Gulf of Finland. After the majority of engineers recognized its movement impossible, Catherine II commissioned Carburi to do it, with which he brilliantly coped. In fact, the military engineer became the inventor of ball bearings, creating a giant sled based on them. He wrote a detailed treatise about it, published in Paris in 1777.
Back home in Kefalonia, Carburi took up farming, but in 1782 he was murdered by his workers.
Giuseppe Maria Alberto Giorgio de Chirico, an Italian artist renowned for his profound influence on the Surrealist movement, stands as a seminal figure in 20th-century art. Born in Volos, Greece, in 1888, de Chirico was a visionary painter, sculptor, and writer whose works profoundly altered the landscape of modern art. His paintings, characterized by their dreamlike quality, enigmatic compositions, and the juxtaposition of classical and modern elements, delve into the mysteries of the subconscious, exploring themes of nostalgia, metaphysics, and the uncanny.
De Chirico's art is distinguished by its unique blend of classical motifs with surreal, dreamlike atmospheres, creating a sense of profound mystery and unease. His most famous works, such as "The Enigma of an Autumn Afternoon" and "The Melancholy of Departure," exhibit deserted cityscapes filled with elongated shadows, enigmatic figures, and classical architecture, which became hallmarks of his style. These paintings not only prefigured the Surrealist movement but also influenced countless artists with their exploration of the psyche, the distortion of space, and the play of light and shadow.
His impact on culture and art is undeniable, with his works housed in prestigious museums and galleries worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Tate Modern in London. De Chirico's ability to evoke the mysterious interconnection between the ancient and the modern through his art continues to captivate collectors and experts in the fields of art and antiques. His innovative approach to painting and sculpture has solidified his position as a key figure in the development of modern art.
For collectors and enthusiasts keen on exploring the depths of 20th-century art and the enigmatic world of Giuseppe Maria Alberto Giorgio de Chirico, staying informed about new discoveries, auction events, and sales of his works is essential. We invite you to sign up for updates to ensure you never miss an opportunity to engage with the enduring legacy of this remarkable Artist. This subscription is your gateway to the latest news related to de Chirico, focusing exclusively on product sales and auction events associated with his influential oeuvre.
Adam Friedel or Adam Friedel von Friedelsburg was a Danish soldier and pirate, painter and actor.
Having the character of an adventurer, Friedel became a participant in the War of Liberation in Greece 1821-1829. He was granted the title of Baron Friedel von Friedelsburg, but the information about his aristocratic origin was found to be false and he was expelled from the Greek army. He was eventually forced to leave Greece for London, where his talents as an actor, musician, and painter became apparent.
In London, Adam Friedel opened his own lithographic studio. He became best known for his portraits of the heroes and leaders of the Greek Revolution, first produced between 1824 and 1826. The series of 24 portraits sold in large editions throughout Europe. He also created several famous portraits of Lord Byron.
Pavlos Dionyssopoulos was a Greek artist born in Filiatra, Greece in 1930 and passed away in 2019. He was known for his unique and colorful abstract paintings, which were influenced by the art movements of the 20th century, including surrealism and abstract expressionism.
Dionyssopoulos studied art in Greece and later in France, where he was exposed to the works of famous artists such as Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. His style evolved throughout his career, starting with realistic portraits and landscapes before moving towards abstract art.
He held numerous solo and group exhibitions in Greece and internationally, including in Paris, New York, and Tokyo. His works can be found in private collections and museums around the world.
Dionyssopoulos was a member of the Greek Chamber of Fine Arts and was awarded the "Order of the Phoenix" by the Greek government for his contributions to the arts. He was also a writer and poet, and his poetry was published in several Greek literary journals.
Today, Pavlos Dionyssopoulos is considered one of the most important Greek artists of the 20th century, known for his unique style and contributions to the development of abstract art in Greece.
Euripides (Ancient Greek: Eὐριπίδης Mνησαρχίδου Φλυεύς) was a tragedian of classical Athens. Along with Aeschylus and Sophocles, he is one of the three ancient Greek tragedians for whom any plays have survived in full. Some ancient scholars attributed ninety-five plays to him, but the Suda says it was ninety-two at most. Of these, eighteen or nineteen have survived more or less complete (Rhesus is suspect). There are many fragments (some substantial) of most of his other plays. More of his plays have survived intact than those of Aeschylus and Sophocles together, partly because his popularity grew as theirs declined — he became, in the Hellenistic Age, a cornerstone of ancient literary education, along with Homer, Demosthenes, and Menander.
Aleсos Fassianos (Greek: Αλέκος Φασιανός), also Alexandre Fassianos, was a Greek painter, writer and poet. He is internationally known for his figurative paintings that depict the contemporary world in a mythological way.
Isocrates was an ancient Athenian orator, tutor, and writer.
He was born shortly before the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC), and the turbulent life of the time directed the young Isocrates to write speeches for court appearances and politicians. His works were a success, and in 390 BC he founded a school whose students included prominent men from all over the Greek world. Isocrates' political beliefs caused a clash of interests with another demagogue, the famous anti-Macedonian Demosthenes (c. 384-322 BC). Moreover, Isocrates' beliefs, which were propagated through his school, also caused quarrels with other prominent figures in Greek philosophy, Plato (428/427-348/347 BC) and later Aristotle (384-322 BC).
Isocrates invested the wealth he had accumulated over time in the Athenian navy, earning him the title of trierarch. Having a reputation as a benefactor of Athens, he strove to be a moral educator as well. His most famous works, including Against the Sophists, Antidozis, Panegyric, To Philip, and Panatheneikus, provided this thinker with recognition from both ancient and modern audiences. The writings of Isocrates are an important historical source of information about the intellectual and political life of Athens in his time.
Georgios Jakobides was a Greek painter, representative of the Munich School of Greek painting.
He studied at the Athens School of Art (later the Academy of Fine Arts), then at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. Jakobides painted mythological scenes, genre paintings and portraits influenced by German academic realism.
His many characteristic paintings of children established Jakobides' reputation as a children's artist. As a perceptive psychologist and keen observer of human nature, he was a consummate draftsman. His painting The Reading Girl (1882), first exhibited in Munich, was admired by critics and the public.
In 1990 Georgios Jakobides returned to his homeland and became the first director of the National Gallery of Greece. In 1904 he was appointed director of the Athens School of Fine Arts, where he taught for 25 years. In addition to these activities, the artist continued to paint portraits, including of prominent Greeks.
Theodoros Stamos was a Greek-American painter. He is one of the youngest painters of the original group of abstract expressionist painters (the so-called "Irascibles"), which included Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning and Mark Rothko. His later years were negatively affected by his involvement with the Rothko case.
Panayiotis Vassilakis (Greek: Παναγιώτης Βασιλάκης), also known as Takis (Greek: Τάκις), was a self-taught Greek artist known for his kinetic sculptures. He exhibited his artworks in Europe and the United States. Popular in France, his works can be found in public locations in and around Paris, as well as at the Athens-based Takis Foundation Research Center for the Arts and Sciences.
Ludwig Thiersch was a German and Greek painter of the second half of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He is known as a painter who specialized in historical, mythological and religious subjects, as well as an iconographer.
Thiersch began his career as a painter by creating paintings of Hindu mythology. In 1852 he traveled to Athens, where he became interested in Byzantine art. One of his most famous works in iconography was the decoration of the iconostasis in the Greek church of St. Etienne in Paris. The master also worked in Vienna and St. Petersburg, creating frescoes and icons.
Chryssa Vardea-Mavromichali was a Greek American artist who worked in a wide variety of media. An American art pioneer in light art and luminist sculpture, known for her neon, steel, aluminum and acrylic glass installations, she always used the mononym Chryssa professionally. She worked from the mid-1950s in New York City studios and worked since 1992 in the studio she established in Neos Kosmos, Athens, Greece.
