Theofilos (Hadjimichail) Greek, 1867-1934

The present work was discovered in 1970, painted on a wall in a café on the island of Lesvos, when the building was being renovated. An article in the 12 december 1970 issue of  "Eleftheros Cosmos" discusses the find. 

According to legend, it was Georgios Gounaropoulos (lots 125 & 126) who noticed murals by the unknown Theofilos while walking in Volos. Photographs of these which Gounaropoulos dispatched to Paris, captured the imagination of the art critic and collector Eliphteriadis Teriade, who subsequently invited Theofilos to come to Paris in 1929. Having befriended the artist, Teriade commissioned a number of works from him and launched his career among the intellectual circles in the French capital. His mission, noted Teriade, would henceforth be to ''put Theofilos in the place he deserves next to the most noble creations in Greek art from Byzantine times to the present day'' (quoted in Athinaika Nea, 20 September 1935). He kept his word and in 1965 the Theofilos Museum was opened in Vareia - a gift of Teriade.

Please note that due to Greek regulations, this painting currently cannot be exported from Greece and will be available for inspection by prospective buyers in Athens by appointment with Sotheby's.  The painting will be located in Greece during the auction.    

Please also note that the sale of the painting will be conditional upon the Greek State failing to pre-empt the sale of this lot at the time of the auction. The successful buyer will be able to collect the work in Athens. Should you have any queries regarding the sale of this work please contact a member of the department.