Biography

Alekos Kontopoulos, born in 1904 in Lamia, was a pivotal figure in the development of Greek art, known primarily for his groundbreaking contribution to the dissemination of non-representational painting. His artistic journey began during his high school years when he exhibited a profound inclination toward painting. After completing secondary education, he apprenticed under the iconographer G. Sarafianos, a period that cultivated his technical skills and deepened his personal artistry. In 1923, he moved to Athens to study at the School of Fine Arts. Under the guidance of distinguished teachers such as Georgios Iakovidis, Dimitrios Geraniotis, Pavlos Mathiopoulos, and Nikolaos Lytras, he established a solid foundation in representational art, with a focus on landscapes, portraits, and nudes.

After graduating in 1929, Kontopoulos sought to broaden his horizons by relocating to Paris. There, he studied under P. Le Doux and H. Morisset while simultaneously creating copies at the Louvre and traveling to Belgium to study Flemish painting. Upon returning to Greece, he joined the circle of the “New Pioneers” and, in 1934, co-founded the group “Free Artists.” In 1935, he returned to Paris to attend courses at the School of Fine Arts and the academies Colarossi and Grande Chaumière. By 1937, he had become a member of the “Paris-Montparnasse” group. His time in Paris exposed him to various modern artistic movements, though he initially remained dedicated to realism, creating works with a focus on social critique.

The outbreak of World War II brought him back to Greece in 1939. During the Occupation, he actively participated in the Resistance, creating a series of drawings depicting the suffering, hardship, and famine of the war years. In 1941, he was appointed to the National Archaeological Museum, where he worked until 1969. In 1960, he created a large mural at the museum depicting ancient Greek pottery. In the late 1940s, his artistic trajectory took a decisive turn. Around 1947, he embraced abstract art, becoming one of its first proponents in Greece. In 1949, he co-founded and led the group “The Extremists,” which aimed to promote abstract forms of art in Greece. Works from this period are characterized by their departure from representational forms, focusing instead on expressing internal emotions through free or geometric shapes, often without tonal gradations.

His contributions were recognized both nationally and internationally. He participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions, including the Biennales of São Paulo (1953, 1955, 1957), Alexandria (1959), and Venice (1960). His exhibition in 1955 earned him the silver medal. In 1973, he was awarded the First State Prize, which he declined as a protest against the dictatorial regime. Additionally, he illustrated books and magazines, delivered lectures, and authored several books on art, including Modern Painting (1951) and Spiritual Responsibility (1973), among others.

Alekos Kontopoulos passed away in Athens in 1975. After his death, his home in Agia Paraskevi was transformed into the Alekos Kontopoulos Library, while the Alekos Kontopoulos Gallery was established in the Municipal Gallery of Lamia. He was an iconic figure in modern Greek art, bridging realism with pioneering abstract painting. A trailblazer and visionary, through his painting, writings, and relentless dedication, he shaped a new language of expression, leaving an indelible mark on Greek culture.

Georgia Dimopoulou

Classics Scholar – Editor