The Theophilos Museum was built in 1964 in a suburb of Mytilene, Varia, where the popular self-taught painter Theophilos Hatzimichael (1867-1934) was born and spent his childhood.
The Museum consists of four contiguous rooms, in which there are 86 paintings by Theophilos from the last six years of his life. The exhibition was curated by Yiannis Tsarouhis.
Greekness dominates the work of Theophilos with themes taken from History, Mythology and Folklore. The paintings of the great artist mentioned in Lesbos are of great interest. Landscape paintings, scenes of daily and rural life, such as olive picking, summer, fishing represent in the most vivid and descriptive way Lesbos of the early 20th century. Characteristic is the detailed performance of period clothing.
The recognition of the value of Theophilos’ work as well as its international prominence took place after his death and are due to the renowned technical critic and publisher Stratis Eleftheriadis (Teriade) who, at his expense, rebuilt the Theophilos Museum in Varia, Lesvos in 1964. In 1965, TERIADE donated it to the Municipality of Mytilene together with 86 paintings by Theophilos, from his private collection, and since then it has been operating as a Municipal Museum.
The painter Theofilos (1867-1934)
Theophilos is considered one of the most representative Greek folk painters. Born in Varia, Lesvos, the painter Theofilos showed a special interest in painting at a young age, on which he acquired basic knowledge alongside his grandfather. At a young age he decided to go to Smyrna, an important commercial center of Asia Minor. There, he practices painting as a profession, but despite the large number of orders his poor financial situation and difficult living conditions do not improve. Then he leaves for Volos and for the next thirty years he wanders around the villages of Pelion painting non-stop in houses and shops in the area while at the same time looking for opportunistic jobs. In 1927, with his health shaken, he returns to his birthplace of Mytilini where he completes his painting cycle.
Varia, Lesvos | 81100 | 2251041644
E-mail: info@jakobides-digital-museum.gr
Website: http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/1/gh151.jsp?obj_id=3435
