Yiannis Moralis

Yiannis Moralis (Greek: Γιάννης Μόραλης; April 23, 1916 – December 20, 2009) was one of the most prominent Greek visual artists of the 20th century, whose work has significantly influenced the modern art movement in Greece. Known for his mastery in painting, Moralis also excelled in sculpture, stage design, and wall painting, making him a versatile artist whose contributions spanned across various forms of artistic expression.

Early Life and Education

Yiannis Moralis was born in Arta, Greece, but soon after his birth, his family moved to Athens. He showed an early interest in art, prompting his enrollment at the Athens School of Fine Arts in 1931. There, he studied under notable Greek painters such as Konstantinos Parthenis and Fotis Kontoglou, whose teachings played a crucial role in shaping his artistic direction. In 1936, Moralis received a scholarship to study at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he was exposed to the European avant-garde, further influencing his development as an artist.

Career

Upon returning to Greece, Moralis began his career as a painter, quickly establishing himself as a leading figure in the Greek art scene. His early works were characterized by a focus on human figures, often depicted in simplified, geometric forms, reflecting the influence of cubism and ancient Greek art. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Moralis's style evolved, becoming more abstract, though the human figure remained central to his work.

Moralis was also a founding member of the "Armos" group, which sought to promote modern art in Greece and was instrumental in introducing contemporary European artistic movements to the Greek public. In addition to his painting, Moralis was renowned for his contributions to public art, including murals and mosaics, most notably at the Hilton Hotel in Athens and the Athens Metro.

In the realm of stage design, Moralis collaborated with the National Theatre of Greece and the Greek National Opera, bringing his distinctive aesthetic to the sets and costumes of numerous productions. His work in this area is celebrated for its innovative approach and its ability to merge traditional themes with modernist design principles.

Legacy

Yiannis Moralis passed away in Athens in 2009, leaving behind a legacy that has had a lasting impact on Greek art. His work is celebrated for its contribution to the development of modernism in Greece and is featured in museums and collections both in Greece and internationally. Moralis's influence extends beyond his own artworks, as he was also a respected educator, teaching at the Athens School of Fine Arts for several decades, where he mentored future generations of Greek artists.

Selected Works

• Prometheus Bound (1948)
• Erotic (1949)
• Composition (1952)
• Murals at the Hilton Hotel, Athens (1960)
• Mosaics for the Athens Metro (2000)

See Also

• Modern Greek Art
• Cubism
• Public Art in Greece