Greek paintings at British auctions
Greek art, particularly of the late 19th and first part of the 20th century, seems to be much in demand. Two of the most established international auction houses – Sotheby’s and Bonhams – have each had annual «Greek Sales,» all of them successful up until now. Both auction houses are organizing yet another auction on Greek art at their premises in London. The Sotheby’s sale is scheduled for Monday, followed by the Bonhams sale the next day. Highlights of the Sotheby’s sale include a landscape painting by Constantinos Volanakis (40-60,000 pounds sterling). The portrait of a young boy by Periklis Pantazis as well as works by Constantinos Maleas (his depiction of the Peloponnese is estimated at 30-30,000 pounds), Spyros Papaloukas and Nikolaos Lytras (his painting «The Artist in the Studio» is estimated at 15-20,000 pounds) also stand out for their importance. The sale will also include works by late 20th century artists such as Paris Prekas, Alexis Akrithakis, Costas Tsoklis, Takis and Yiannis Kottis. In the Bonhams sale, which has been organized in cooperation with Art Expertise, «Le Phare de Marseille,» painted by Periklis Pantazis in Brussels in 1881, is one of the auction’s most important works. The painting was exhibited in 1882 next to Manet’s «Le Bar aux Folies-Bergere.» It will be included in the retrospective exhibition on the work of Pantazis organized by the Ostende Fine Arts Museum at the end of the year. It is estimated at 149,250-223,900 euros, the same price that is given for «Promenade by the Harbor,» by Constantinos Volanakis. «Erotokritos and Arethusa» (44,750-59,700 euros) by the great naif Greek painter Theophilos Hadzimichail, is another major work. For info contact Bonhams in the United Kingdom: 0044 (0)207.629. 6602 (www.bonhams.com) or, in Athens: Art Expertise 210.747. 4333. For the Sotheby’s sale, call 210.628.1800.
