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Greek Modernist Tsarouchis’ Eros Masterpiece Sets New World Record at Paris Auction
BY MARK ANDERSON
In a landmark event for the art world, Yannis Tsarouchis’s painting Jeune homme posant comme Eros avec une chaise anglaise (Youth posing as Eros next to an English chair) shattered previous records, fetching an impressive €571,900 at Bonhams Greek Sale in Paris. This sale not only underscores Tsarouchis’s enduring influence but also highlights the growing global appreciation for Greek modernist art.
Born in Piraeus in 1910, Yannis Tsarouchis was a pivotal figure in 20th-century Greek art. His early exposure to neoclassical architecture and the traditional Karaghiozis shadow theater profoundly influenced his artistic vision. Tsarouchis honed his craft at the Athens School of Fine Arts from 1928 to 1934, studying under luminaries such as Dimitrios Biskinis and Konstantinos Parthenis. A transformative period in his education was his apprenticeship with Fotis Kontoglou, who introduced him to Byzantine painting techniques and aesthetics.
The 1930s saw Tsarouchis embarking on travels to Constantinople, Paris, and Italy. In Paris, he immersed himself in Renaissance art and Impressionism, drawing inspiration from masters like Henri Matisse and Alberto Giacometti. These experiences enriched his unique style, which seamlessly blended elements from various art movements.
Tsarouchis’s oeuvre is celebrated for its exploration of cultural and sexual identity, often portraying male figures in a manner that challenges traditional norms. His depictions of sailors, soldiers, and nude males are both sculpturesque and monumental, offering fresh perspectives on Greek identity and homoeroticism. Jeune homme posant comme Eros avec une chaise anglaise, painted in the early to mid-1960s, exemplifies this approach, presenting a modern interpretation of the ancient Greek kouros.
The recent Bonhams auction, a collaborative effort with Art Expertise in Athens, realized a total of €2,956,720, with 69% of lots sold and nearly 100% sold by value. Terpsichore Angelopoulou, Director of Art Expertise, remarked on the sale’s success: “This was a high-quality sale with paintings from all the major eras of Greek art attracting keen interest. Many works met or exceeded their upper estimates, and it was encouraging to see a wide range of bidders not only from the Greek-speaking world but from other countries too. We expect this trend to continue in 2025.”
Tsarouchis’s legacy extends beyond his paintings. In 1982, he established the Yannis Tsarouchis Foundation Museum in Maroussi, Athens, housed in his former residence. The museum serves as a testament to his dedication to art and his influence on subsequent generations. Tsarouchis passed away in 1989, but his work continues to captivate and inspire audiences worldwide.
(Youth posing as Eros next to an English chair)
Yannis Tsarouchis
The record-breaking sale of Jeune homme posant comme Eros avec une chaise anglaise not only cements Tsarouchis’s status as a master of modern Greek art but also signifies a burgeoning global interest in the rich tapestry of Greek cultural expression.
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