A rare painting by celebrated 19th-century Greek master Nikiforos Lytras could fetch a quarter of a million euros when it goes on auction in Nicosia, Cyprus on June 19th.
The 1875 oil on canvas masterpiece, titled “Bride to Be” will be the highlight of Cypria’s upcoming auction, its value estimated between 150,000 to 250,000 euros.
Often referred to as “the father of Greek painting,” Lytras was an important figure in the Munich School of Greek artists and played a critical role in the development of genre painting in Greece.
Famous for his ethnographic themes and portraiture, which offered him his works are noted for their meticulous attention to detail, emotional depth, and cultural significance.
“The Bride to Be is not only a testament to Lytras’ artistic genius but also a cultural artefact that reflects the rich traditions and social nuances of 19th-century Greece,” Cypria observes.
Rare Greek painting auctioned twice before
Bought directly from the artist before 1877, “Bride to Be” was sold to the collector Iacovos Georgiades from the Christie’s, London, sale in 1981. It was then acquired by the present owner at Cypria Auctions, Nicosia, sale in 2010.
The painting features a young woman seated with a commanding yet vulnerable presence, embodying what Marina Stefanides, art critic and author, has described as “Doric solidity.” It is set in a background with ever-changing light which creates an enigmatic ambiance that both projects and transforms the female figure, enveloping her in an almost ethereal glow.
The auctioned painting is believed by Dr. Nelly Misirli, art critic and author, to be the first of two known versions of Lytras’ work the “Bride to Be.” The second was sold at Christie’s, London in 2009 under the title A Moment of Rest.
“As she stays up late to prepare her dowries, she has momentarily fallen asleep, with her arms folded and her head bowed slightly. She is portrayed as a simple, beautiful, and hardworking woman, a typical Greek daughter of the countryside,” describes Dr. Nelly Misirli, who confirmed the authenticity of the work in a letter to Iacovos Georgiades in March 2002.
“The scene exudes absolute peace and tranquility, and this is contributed not only by the austerity of the space but also by the cohesion of colors, with the amazing white and minimal red in the clothes and the humble flowers in the vase,” Dr. Misirli adds.
Interested collectors are invited to view the painting at Cypria’s Gallery K in Nicosia ahead of the auction.
A prominent figure in Greek painting and art
The 19th-century master Nikiforos Lytras remains today one of the most prominent figures in Greek painting, and art in general.
He embraced the principles of Academic Realism, with paintings that depicted scenes, whether real or imaginary, of painstaking exactitude and treatment of color, along with portraying a narrative mood.
During the artist’s time in Munich as a scholar, Lytras focused on historical painting with subjects inspired by Greek mythology and history and began to paint portraits and scenes of everyday life upon his return to Greece.
During this period, the great Greek master wrote that “the painter should devote himself to genre painting, and to subjects that move, delight, and educate the people.”
Several of his paintings, like The Carols, 1872, have become emblematic and are among the most famous works in the history of modern Greek art.
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