Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghikas
Encyclopedia
Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghikas (in Greek Νίκος Χατζηκυριάκος – Γκίκας ) (February 26, 1906 – September 3, 1994) was a leading Greek
painter, sculptor, engraver, iconographer, writer and academic. He was a founding member of the Association of Greek Art Critics, AICA-Hellas, International Association of Art Critics
.
He studied ancient and Byzantine art
as well as folk art due to his adoration for the Greek landscape. During his youth he was exposed in Paris
to the avant-garde
European artistic trends and he gained recognition as the leading Greek cubist artist.
His aim was to focus on the harmony and purity of Greek art
and to deconstruct the Greek landscape and intense natural light into simple geometric shapes and interlocking planes.
His works are featured in the National Gallery (Athens)
, the Musee d’ Art Moderne in Paris
, the Tate Gallery
in London
, the Metropolitan Museum of New York
and in private collections worldwide.
in 1906 to a branch of the Ghica family
. During his teen years (1918–1922) his family recognized the potential of his talent and arranged for him to study painting with the famous artist Parthenis. In 1923 he went to Paris to study French Literature and Esthetics at the Sorbonne
University. During his first months in Paris he participated in an exhibition that took place in the . In 1924 he continued his studies in painting and engraving at the . In 1927 he had his first exhibition at . Picasso himself noticed and commented the works of the young Greek artist.
In 1933 he organized in Athens
the 4th International Architectural Symposium. In 1934 he arranged another exhibition of his paintings and sculptures in the Gallerie des Cahiers d' Art and in the international exhibitions of Paris and Venice
. From 1935 to 1937 he was co-editor of the art magazine 3rd Eye. In 1941 he was offered a position in the Architectural School of the National Technical University of Athens
. In 1949 he formed, with other artists including Yiannis Moralis
, Yannis Tsarouchis
, Nikos Nikolaou
, Nikos Engonopoulos
and Panayiotis Tetsis
, the "Armos" art group. In 1950 he was the Greek participant at the Venice Biennale
where he exhibited 17 of his paintings.
During 1950-1968 he organized 12 exhibitions in Athens
, Paris
, London
(Whitechapel Gallery), Berlin
, Geneva
and New York
.
In 1961 he married Barbara Hutchinson, who had previously been married to Victor Rothschild, 3rd Baron Rothschild
and to classicist Rex Warner
.
In 1973 he became a member of the Athens Academy
and in 1986 a member of the Royal Academy
in London
. He was also a member of the Tiberiana Academy in Rome
and was granted the title of Officier des Arts et des Lettres from the French government.
In 1988 he had his last exhibition at the Royal Academy of London. His wife, Barbara, died in 1989. He died on September 3, 1994, in Athens
.
Today in Greece he is celebrated as one of the most important modern Greek painters. His house has been converted to a museum and is being run by the Benaki Museum
.
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Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
painter, sculptor, engraver, iconographer, writer and academic. He was a founding member of the Association of Greek Art Critics, AICA-Hellas, International Association of Art Critics
International Association of Art Critics
The International Association of Art Critics was founded in 1950 to revitalize critical discourse, which suffered under Fascism during World War II. AICA was initially affiliated with UNESCO as a non-governmental organization...
.
He studied ancient and Byzantine art
Byzantine art
Byzantine art is the term commonly used to describe the artistic products of the Byzantine Empire from about the 5th century until the Fall of Constantinople in 1453....
as well as folk art due to his adoration for the Greek landscape. During his youth he was exposed in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
to the avant-garde
Avant-garde
Avant-garde means "advance guard" or "vanguard". The adjective form is used in English to refer to people or works that are experimental or innovative, particularly with respect to art, culture, and politics....
European artistic trends and he gained recognition as the leading Greek cubist artist.
His aim was to focus on the harmony and purity of Greek art
Greek art
Greek art began in the Cycladic and Minoan prehistorical civilization, and gave birth to Western classical art in the ancient period...
and to deconstruct the Greek landscape and intense natural light into simple geometric shapes and interlocking planes.
His works are featured in the National Gallery (Athens)
National Gallery (Athens)
The National Art Gallery and Alexander Soutzos Museum is an art museum in Athens devoted to Greek and European art from the 14th century to the 20th century. It is directed by Marina Lambraki-Plaka.-History:...
, the Musee d’ Art Moderne in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, the Tate Gallery
Tate Gallery
The Tate is an institution that houses the United Kingdom's national collection of British Art, and International Modern and Contemporary Art...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, the Metropolitan Museum of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and in private collections worldwide.
Biography
Hadjikyriakos-Ghikas was born in AthensAthens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
in 1906 to a branch of the Ghica family
Ghica family
The Ghica family were a Romanian noble family, active in Wallachia, Moldavia and in the Kingdom of Romania. In the 18th century, several branches of the family went through a process of Hellenization...
. During his teen years (1918–1922) his family recognized the potential of his talent and arranged for him to study painting with the famous artist Parthenis. In 1923 he went to Paris to study French Literature and Esthetics at the Sorbonne
Sorbonne
The Sorbonne is an edifice of the Latin Quarter, in Paris, France, which has been the historical house of the former University of Paris...
University. During his first months in Paris he participated in an exhibition that took place in the . In 1924 he continued his studies in painting and engraving at the . In 1927 he had his first exhibition at . Picasso himself noticed and commented the works of the young Greek artist.
In 1933 he organized in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
the 4th International Architectural Symposium. In 1934 he arranged another exhibition of his paintings and sculptures in the Gallerie des Cahiers d' Art and in the international exhibitions of Paris and Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
. From 1935 to 1937 he was co-editor of the art magazine 3rd Eye. In 1941 he was offered a position in the Architectural School of the National Technical University of Athens
National Technical University of Athens
The National Technical University of Athens , sometimes simply known as Athens Polytechnic, is among the oldest and most prestigious higher education institutions of Greece....
. In 1949 he formed, with other artists including Yiannis Moralis
Yiannis Moralis
Yiannis Moralis was an important Greek visual artist and part of the so-called "Generation of the 30s".-Life:...
, Yannis Tsarouchis
Yannis Tsarouchis
-Early life:Born in Piraeus, he studied at the Athens School of Fine Arts . He was also a student of Photios Kontoglou, who introduced him to Byzantine iconography, while he also studied popular architecture and dressing customs...
, Nikos Nikolaou
Nikos Nikolaou
Nikos Nikolaou was a major figure in Greek art during the 20th century.In 1929 Nikolaou is admitted into the Athens School of Fine Arts where he studied under Konstantinos Parthenis and Umbertos Argyros....
, Nikos Engonopoulos
Nikos Engonopoulos
Nikos Engonopoulos was a modern Greek painter and poet. He is one of the most important members of the Greek Generation of the '30s as well as a major representative of the surrealistic movement in Greece...
and Panayiotis Tetsis
Panayiotis Tetsis
Panayiotis Tetsis is a major Greek painter. Tetsis is a genuine exponent of the post-impressionistic seascape tradition.- Life and work :...
, the "Armos" art group. In 1950 he was the Greek participant at the Venice Biennale
Venice Biennale
The Venice Biennale is a major contemporary art exhibition that takes place once every two years in Venice, Italy. The Venice Film Festival is part of it. So too is the Venice Biennale of Architecture, which is held in even years...
where he exhibited 17 of his paintings.
During 1950-1968 he organized 12 exhibitions in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
(Whitechapel Gallery), Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
and New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
In 1961 he married Barbara Hutchinson, who had previously been married to Victor Rothschild, 3rd Baron Rothschild
Victor Rothschild, 3rd Baron Rothschild
Nathaniel Mayer Victor Rothschild, 3rd Baron Rothschild, GBE, GM, FRS was a biologist by training, a cricketer and a member of the prominent Rothschild family...
and to classicist Rex Warner
Rex Warner
Rex Warner was an English classicist, writer and translator. He is now probably best remembered for The Aerodrome , an allegorical novel whose young hero is faced with the disintegration of his certainties about his loved ones and with a choice between the earthy, animalistic life of his home...
.
In 1973 he became a member of the Athens Academy
Athens Academy
Athens Academy is a private, co-educational, college preparatory school originally founded in Athens, now located in Oconee County, Georgia, United States. The school sponsors grades K through 12, and also operates a preschool. It was founded in 1967. The school's motto is Excellentia Cum Honore...
and in 1986 a member of the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He was also a member of the Tiberiana Academy in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
and was granted the title of Officier des Arts et des Lettres from the French government.
In 1988 he had his last exhibition at the Royal Academy of London. His wife, Barbara, died in 1989. He died on September 3, 1994, in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
.
Today in Greece he is celebrated as one of the most important modern Greek painters. His house has been converted to a museum and is being run by the Benaki Museum
Benaki Museum
The Benaki Museum, established and endowed in 1930 by Antonis Benakis in memory of his father Emmanuel Benakis, is housed in the Benakis family mansion in downtown Athens, Greece...
.
External links
Museums- Benaki Museum (English)
- http://www.pinakothiki-chania.gr/exhibitions/ghikas/index_el.htmMunicipal Gallery of ChaniaChaniaChaniá , , also transliterated Chania, Hania, and Xania, older form Chanea and Venetian Canea, Ottoman Turkish خانيه Hanya) is the second largest city of Crete and the capital of the Chania peripheral unit...
] - http://www.helios.gr/rhodes/artgallery/hatzikiriakos.htmMunicipal Gallery of RhodesRhodesRhodes is an island in Greece, located in the eastern Aegean Sea. It is the largest of the Dodecanese islands in terms of both land area and population, with a population of 117,007, and also the island group's historical capital. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within...
] - http://www.chiosartgallery.gr/tempo01/homerus/gikas.htmMunicipal Gallery of ChiosChiosChios is the fifth largest of the Greek islands, situated in the Aegean Sea, seven kilometres off the Asia Minor coast. The island is separated from Turkey by the Chios Strait. The island is noted for its strong merchant shipping community, its unique mastic gum and its medieval villages...
]
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