018. KONTOGLOU Fotis (1895-1965)

‘Athos’; 1943

Signed & dated egg-tempera on panel 16×46 cm

€ 2.000 – 2.500

With his distinctive idiom, Fotis Kontoglou, one of the most emblematic artists and representative of the 1930’s generation, whose work and way of life influenced an entire generation of artists, draws thematic and stylistic characteristics from the late Byzantine painters of secular painting to create in line with the teachings of popular painting.  The renowned artist, painter, iconographer and writer from Aivali in Asia Minor is distinguished by his authentic folk style, limitless descriptive powers and commitment to the essence of art; here, he employs a pure and unadulterated idiom to create a landscape where the boundaries between reality and fantasy are indistinguishable. Kontoglou composes a nostalgic poetic world of abstraction, figurative distortion and lack of perspective as well as strict contours and unrealistic colors all in a harmonious balanced composition. The rhythm of the work with the boat escaping quietly, silently and gently to the upper left edge is reminiscent of folk and fairy tales, thereby bestowing upon this excellent work/find a mythical timelessness.

ROV. Priv. collection Thessaloniki