Polychronis Lembesis
Polychronis Lembesis ( Greek Πολυχρόνης Λεμπέσης , * 1848 in Salamis ; † 1913 in Athens ) was a Greek painter .
life and work
Polychronis Lembesis was born on the island of Salamis to a shepherd. In Athens he began to study painting, which he later continued at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich as a student of Wilhelm Lindenschmit the Younger and Ludwig von Löfftz . In Munich he also became a friend of the well-known painter Nikolaus Gysis and joined the Munich painting school . In 1880 he returned to Athens and took up residence in a house not far from the Theseus Temple. In Greece, his painting changed in later years, from German academic painting to contemporary Parisian art movements.
Although Lembesis was an excellent landscape painter, he soon became known for his talent as a portraitist. He received numerous orders for portraits from wealthy citizens of his time. At the same time he was also a private teacher for painting, e.g. B. for the children of the then judge and later Prime Minister Stephanos Dragoumis . Lembesis was also known as a painter of sacred works since 1883. He painted icons in his studio and accepted orders for the implementation of wall paintings in churches in the Athens area.
Like his friend and writer Alexandros Papadiamantis , Lembesis died completely impoverished. In order to pay for his funeral, his paintings were sold for 2 and 3 drachmas apiece. Including his murals, only around 100 of his works have survived to this day. His life's work was not recognized until decades after his death. Today he is considered one of the greatest Greek painters. His most famous works include: Naked , The Niece of the Artist , The Girl with the Doves , The Boy with the Bunnies , The Rascal .
Web links
- Short biography: Πολυχρόνης Λεμπέσης in the National Gallery of Athens , Greek
- Collection on Polychronis Lembesis in the National Gallery of Athens , Greek
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Lembesis, Polychronis |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Λεμπέσης, Πολυχρόνης (Greek) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Greek painter |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 1848 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Salamis |
| DATE OF DEATH | 1913 |
| Place of death | Athens |