Constantinos Parthenis

Painted in soft washes of pastel colours, the present work can be compared with a series of nature mortes that Parthenis executed whilst in Greece during the 1930s. With its superb subtle colouring and forcefulness of design, the present work is a prime example of Parthenis' powers as a draughtsman. The importance that Parthenis attached to drawing is evident in the prominence of line. These fine lines are enhanced only by the most delicate use of light and colour, picking out the highlights of the vase and evoking the texture of the white cloth with a few judicious undulating strokes. On this technique, Parthenis is quoted as having told his students, 'You must remember! Light = colour. This is what creates shape' (Dimitris Papastamos, Painting 1930-40, Astir Company, 1981, p. 66).

Parthenis's work was tremendously significant in the development of twentieth century Greek art. As a prominent member of the Omni Techni group of 1917 he was responsible, along with Constantinos Maleas, for introducing ideas of light and colour into Greek painting. With this movement and the influence that Parthenis exerted as Professor at the Athens School of Fine Arts from 1929-1947, the lingering influences of German academicism were finally banished from Athens' artistic circles, and a new path was laid, paving the way for experimentation in form and colour previously untried in Greek art.

Influenced by the modern currents he encountered when in Paris before World War I, Parthenis, through his art, introduced elements of Art Nouveau and cubism to Greece. `We must create for the future and be inspired by the future. In any case, this will happen and prevail; the more we move away from the past, the better we shall see, and we will stop to be short-sighted'. (Constantinos Parthenis, quoted in Dimitris Papastamos, Painting 1930-40, Astir Company, 1981, p. 68).