Theofilos (Hadjimichail)

Private Collection, Mytilini; thence by descent
Acquired from the above by the present owner

The grandson of an icon painter from Mytilini, Theofilos began painting as an itinerant craftsman around 1890. For thirty years he travelled extensively in Greece decorating walls of houses, shops and inns in his naive style. The vogue for 'authentic', folkloric idioms that seized the Parisian avant garde in the 1920s resulted in his discovery and elevation to the vanguard of progressive Greek painting.

'According to legend, it was Georgios Gounaropoulos (lots 179-180) 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 Tériade, who subsequently invited Theofilos to come to Paris in 1929. Having befriended the artist, Tériade commissioned a number of works from him and launched his career among the intellectual circles in the French capital. His mission, noted Tériade, 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 Tériade.

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.