biography
spyros papaloukas 1892-1957
Born in Desfina of Parnassida near Delphi, Spyros Papaloukas graduated from the School of Fine Arts at the National Technical University, receiving six first-class prizes during his studies. He continued his education in Paris, attending the Julian and Grande Chaumière academies, among others. During his time there, he participated in exhibitions and engaged in various decorative works. Later, he was transferred and served as a war painter throughout the entire Asia Minor campaign, exhibiting his work at the prestigious War Exhibition of Zappeion in 1922.
He systematically explored the Greek landscape in Attica, Aegina, Parnassus, Mount Athos, Lesbos, and showcased his work in Thessaloniki in 1924. He then continued his artistic endeavors in Attica and Salamis. His works were featured in group exhibitions organized by the Association of Greek Artists, the Art Group, and he exhibited throughout Greece and internationally (including France, London, Sweden, Rome, Yugoslavia, Egypt, Canada, etc.), where they received acclaim from critics both at home and abroad.
During his stay in Greece, he executed major decorative works, such as the decoration and illustration of the Metropolis of Amfissa, the Museum of Heraklion Crete, the School of Law Church, the Great Cave, school buildings, and constructions. He served as a set designer for the National Theater during the time of Fotis Politis and the Kotopouli Theater.
As a professor of Free Drawing, he taught for many years at the Vocational School, the Sivitanidio School, and the Architectural School of the National Technical University.
Since 1939, he has been the Director of the Municipal Art Gallery of the Municipality of Athens.
spyros papaloukas timeline
1892
Born in Desfina, Parnassida, Spyros Papaloukas is the son of Charalambos and Asimina Papaloukas of the Pyrovolou family.
Tragically, his father, a ship captain, passes away early in his life, leaving the young artist orphaned at the tender age of six.
1900-06
He attends the village’s elementary school and receives his first painting lessons from his fellow villager and brother-in-law Nikolaos Papakonstantinou, who recognized his artistic passion very early on.
1907
He first comes to Athens and is employed as a clerk in a paint shop in Piraeus.
1908
He graduates from the school in Chrisso, Phocis.
1909
He executes his first commission, the “Great Priest,” and then the entire iconostasis of the church of Agios Dimitrios in Desfina.
1909-16
He attends the School of Fine Arts and during his studies he wins seven first-class prizes.
1917-21
He continues his studies in Paris at the Grande Chaumière and Ecole Julian Schools.
1909
Executing his first commission, the “Great Priest,” followed by the entire iconostasis of the church of Agios Dimitrios in Desfina, he participates in several art exhibitions and decorates a private mansion in Versailles.
1921-22
Participating in the Asia Minor Campaign as a war painter, alongside Periklis Byzantios and Pavlos Rodokanakis, he contributes to a major war exhibition at the Zappeion Megaron. The critiques by Fotis Politis and Zacharias Papantoniou for Spyros Papaloukas’s works are ecstatic. However, tragedy strikes as 500 of his works are lost in a train fire during transportation to Smyrna amidst the city’s destruction.
1923
Deeply disappointed by the interruption of his studies and the loss of his works, he retreats to Aegina, immersing himself in the study of the Greek landscape. Accompanied by his inseparable friend Stratis Doukas, Dimitris Pikionis, and Kostas Varnalis, he enters the “Aegina period.”
1923
Exhibiting his works at the Lyceum Club of Greek Women where his future wife, Olga Evangelou, is also engaged.
1923-24
Following Stratis Doukas to Mount Athos, he delves into the study of the landscape and Byzantine art. The two friends spend about a year in the monastic community, during which the artist tirelessly creates the “Mount Athos period.”
1924
Eager to present exclusively in Thessaloniki, he organizes his first solo exhibition with great enthusiasm, marking the city’s first painting exhibition. Choosing the White Tower as the venue, he transforms it accordingly, establishing Thessaloniki’s inaugural exhibition space.
1925
Stratis Doukas facilitates another artistic sojourn, this time in Mytilene. Papaloukas spends six months there, producing works emblematic of the “Mytilene period.” Appointed professor of free and decorative design at the Vocational School, he meticulously studies the mosaics of Saint Luke and concurrently paints landscapes of Parnassida.
1926
With his friends Stratis Doukas, Dimitris Pikionis, and Nikos Velmos, he goes to Salamis, where he works tirelessly to create the “Salamis period.”
1926-27
He is mainly involved in stage design work for various theaters. He designs the sets for Paul Maeterlinck’s “Asia” at the National Theater and a series of woodcuts on the theme of Shakespeare’s “Antony and Cleopatra.”
1927
He marries Olga Evangelou from Ayvalik, Asia Minor.
1927-32
After winning a nationwide competition, he receives the first prize and the assignment to decorate the Metropolitan Church of Amfissa.
1928
Following an invitation from Angelos Sikelianos, he participates in the preparation of the Delphic Festivals in collaboration with Dimitris Pikionis.
1929-32
During his absence in Amfissa, his good friend and best man Dimitris Pikionis undertakes the construction of his workshop and house in the Kypradou area, in Patissia.
1932-36
He designs the sets for “Asia” by Lenormand at the Kotopouli Theater. He supervises the artistic edition of the School Buildings by the Technical Chamber. Additionally, he decorates facades and interiors of apartment buildings and school buildings. He participates in the exhibitions of the “Art” group and the Union of Greek Artists.
Together with Stratis Doukas, Dimitris Pikionis, Nikos Hatzikyriakos-Gikas, and Socrates Karantinos, they publish the magazine “The Third Eye,” which became a milestone in the intellectual and artistic life of the country.
He is appointed as a professor of decorative arts at the Sivitanideio School.
1937-39
The Ministry of Education asks him to draw pictures for the Law School chapel, decorate the Megalo Spilaio Monastery, and design for the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion, Crete. But he can’t finish due to the war.
1940
He becomes an art advisor for the city planning department in Athens and helps decorate many buildings.
The Mayor of Athens moves him to the Municipal Art Gallery, where he organizes exhibitions.
Spyros Papaloukas spends a lot of time fixing up the gallery and getting it ready for shows.
1940-44
He runs two theaters and makes sets for plays.
1943-51
He teaches drawing at a college but later has to quit.
1947
He shows his paintings in London and wins a prize.
1948
He wins another prize in a big art show.
1951-56
He shows his work in many countries.
1956
He becomes a professor in Athens.
June 3, 1957
Spyros Papaloukas dies at 65. The government renames a square after him and pays for his funeral.
Biography by: Mina Papaloukas