Constantinos Parthenis Greek, 1878-1967

Discipline is an exquisite example of Parthenis' use of non-perspectival space, inspired by Byzantine icon painting and other two-dimensional compositional elements derived from ancient Greek vase paintings and folk art. The oval composition is juxtaposed with linear and classical compositional elements - this contrast is further accentuated by the subtle colours which infuse the work with an ethereal quality, imbuing the painting with a mysticism typical of Parthenis' mature work. As Marina Lambraki-Plaka noted: ''The essence of [Parthenis' ] style is an ideal Greece of myth, history and art, where Olympian Gods, Byzantine saints and heroes of the Greek war of Independance all move about freely and are reconciled with an ease transcending time'' (Marina Lambraki-Plaka, The National Gallery, 100 Years, Four Centuries of Greek Painting, Athens, 1999, p. 137). 

Discipline was one of the works that Parthenis created for the decoration of the Athens City Hall, comissioned by Metaxas in 1937. He executed many preliminary drawings for this decorative scheme, as well as plans for their final installation before abandoning the project, which was eventually taken over by Gounaropoulos.

A pencil study of this work is in the collection of the National Gallery and Alexandros Soutzos Museum, Athens. A larger unsigned version is currently in a private collection, Athens.