Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika

Place: Athens

Born: 1906

Death: 1994

Biography:

Early Life and Education

, a renowned Greek painter, sculptor, engraver, writer, and academic, was born on February 26, 1906, in Athens, Greece. His family's legacy in the Greek War of Independence of 1821 significantly influenced his early life. Between 1918-1922, his family recognized his artistic potential, leading to his study under the artist Parthenis.

Artistic Development and Exhibitions

• In 1922, Hadjikyriakos-Ghika enrolled in a Sorbonne University course for French literature and aesthetics, simultaneously attending Académie Ranson for painting and engraving studies.
• His first exhibition at the Société des Artistes Indépendants (Salon des Indépendants) in 1923 marked the beginning of his prolific career.
• Notably, Picasso commented on his work, further solidifying his presence in the French art scene.

Collaborations and Teaching

• In 1934, he shared an exhibition with sculptor Michael Tombros, significantly impacting the Athenian art world.
• Between 1936-1937, he collaborated on the periodical "Trito Mati (The Third Eye)" with poet Papatzonis, architect Dimitris Pikionis, and theatrical director Sokratis Karantinos.
• In 1941, he was elected Professor of Drawing at the National Technical University of Athens, a position he held until 1958.

International Recognition

• In 1946, the British Council in Athens arranged his first retrospective exhibition, featuring 42 paintings.
• In 1949, he formed the "Armos" art group with fellow artists Yiannis Moralis, Yannis Tsarouchis, Nikos Nikolaou, and Panayiotis Tetsis.
• He represented Greece at the 25th Venice Biennale in 1950, exhibiting 17 canvases.

Legacy

works are featured in prominent museums worldwide, including:

• The National Gallery (Athens)
• Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris
• Tate Gallery in London
• Metropolitan Museum of New York [https://Wikioo.org/@/Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika](https://Wikioo.org/@/Nikos%20Hadjikyriakos-Ghika) | 12 Artworks Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika | Artworks [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikos_Hadjikyriakos-Ghikas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikos_Hadjikyriakos-Ghikas) - Wikipedia: Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghikas

  Key Works:

  • The first morning of the world, stage design for the dance-drama (Benaki Museum of Greek Civilization, Athens, Greece)
  • Portrait of Ferdinand VII (Romanticism, Oil) - Not by Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika, but a notable example of his contemporaries' work.

  Museums Featuring His Work:

  • National Gallery (Athens)
  • Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris
  • Tate Gallery in London
  • Metropolitan Museum of New York

  Conclusion

  Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika's profound impact on Greek art, his pioneering role in cubism, and his extensive international recognition solidify his position as a leading figure in 20th-century art.