Ilustrating the autobiography of Tsarouchis

An exhibition entitled Yannis Tsarouchis: Illustrating an Autobiography is presented at the Benaki Museum, Pireos Street Annex. The exhibition is divided in two parts, presenting the history of Yannis Tsarouchis' paintings in chronological grouping. Part I (1910-1940) will be open until July 27th, 2014.

Yannis Tsarouchis was one of the most influential Greek painters of the 20th century. Born in Piraeus in 1910, he studied at the Athens School of Fine Arts. After graduating, he traveled to Istanbul, Paris and Italy, and was greatly influenced by the art movements of impressionism and modernism. Upon returning to Greece and having his first exhibitions, he became a soldier in the Greco-Italian War in 1940 (World War II). When the war ended, he lived in exile in Europe, working in stage design and painting. His work focused on the male form, with evident elements from the Greek tradition, Hellenic sculptures and Byzantine and folk art, aiming to showcase the complexity of the Greek identity. After the war in particular, his work would reflect humanitarian ideals.

The exhibition interprets the first stages of the artist's career and investigates his influences through his own drafts, notes, writings and photographic material. Audiovisual material from the documentaries Study for a Portrait by Dimitris Vernikos and Piraeus of Yannis Tsarouchis by Fotos Lambrinos are also screened.

More info at the official website of Benaki Museum