GEORGIOS JAKOBIDES (1852-1932) Lot n° 21

Nature morte aux coquillages signé en grec et daté '1917' (en bas à droite) huile sur toile 40 x 54cm (15 3/4 x 21 1/4in). Peint en 1917. signed in Greek and dated (lower right) oil on canvas Exposition Athens, Zappeion Hall, Greek Artists Association, Fourth Art Exhibition, April 5 - May 15, 1917, no. 56 (listed in the exhibition catalogue, p. 4). A small collection of beautiful seashells, diligently kept by the artist in a wooden display cabinet in his Athens studio along with awarded exhibition medals and other precious objects,1 posed for this charming still life of deft brushwork and sensitive colour. As noted by O. Mentzafou- Polyzou who prepared the artist's monograph, "clearly a master of the rules of composition regarding object arrangement, Jakobides employed classic models in his approach to still life, as these were sanctioned by tradition. Yet, he also assigned a leading role to the light falling on them and sought through stark contrast and glowing colour the greater possible fidelity in their description. His main preoccupation was to highlight the tactile quality of objects, in tune with his search for a painting true to reality."2 1 Shown in a c.1928 photograph illustrated in L. Iakovidi, Georgios Jakobides, from his Life and Art [in Greek], Diogenis editions, Athens 1984, p. 164. See also O. Mentzafou-Polyzou, Jakobides, Adam editions, Athens 1999, p. 381. 2 O. Mentzafou-Polyzou, "Still Life and Flower Paintings, a Constant Occupation", in Iakovidis, a Retrospective, exhibition catalogue, National Gallery - Alexandros Soutzos Museum, Athens 2005, p. 263.