Theofilos |
T
heophilos Chatzimichael, 1873-1934. The Greek Vincent Van Gogh, a unique folk artist-painter, was
born in Varia of Lesvos. Theophilos began painting on wood and frescoes using his own
paints. He was known for his eccentric ways and his habit of wearing national dress, and
lived a life of deprivation and povetry. His works are primitive in their conception of
anatomy and perspective, yet owe much of their charm and harmony to this primitive grasp
of artistic essentials and the feel of the colors. A man of spontaneity, he was most drawn
to themes from nature and the historical past. Theophilos painted in houses, in churches,
in coffee-shops wherever he could get a plate of food for his work, and often without even
that. There were many occasions on which a glass of ouzo was sufficent reward.
Hardly anyone recognized the beauty of Theophilos' works - most regarded them as
worthless. The artist was treated with mockery by his fellow countrymen. We owe much to
his recognition to the art critic Stratis Eleftheriadis (Teriade). Teriade met him in 1928
and was immediately impressed. He asked Theophilos to paint on canvas, in an attempt to
save for posterity the freshness of the artist's work. According to Teriade, Theophilos
never asked him for money. Thus it was that, in a new creative period at the end of his
life, Theophilos produced some of his most representative works, the ones that we know him
for. Owing to Teriade, works of Theophilos were displayed in Louvre, and are now on
display in Teriade's museum in Mytiline. Theophilos did not live to enjoy his fame, but he
appreciated the respect and attention shown to him by a man from the world of serious art.