Nikolaos Kantounis

Nikolaos Kantounis
Self-portrait (date unknown)
Born	1767 Zakynthos
Died	1834 Zakynthos
Nationality	Greek
Known for	Assumption Decent from the Cross
Movement	Greek Romanticism Neoclassicism Neo Hellenikos Diafotismos Modern Greek art

Nikolaos Kantounis or Kandounis (Greek: Νικόλαος Καντούνης; 1767–1834) was a priest, painter and teacher who did not follow the traditional Maniera Greca. His teacher was the famous painter Nikolaos Koutouzis. He began to incorporate the Maniera Italiana into the Heptanese School. Kantounis, Panagiotis Doxaras, Nikolaos Doxaras and Nikolaos Koutouzis were all prolific members of that school. Kantounis was one of the most important painters in the Neoclassical Period in Greece. He was a representative of the middle to late Modern Greek Enlightenment in Greek art. Over 164 of his paintings have survived. He is known for painting many portraits. Some of his works resemble the style of Nikolaos Doxaras. He was also a member of the secret organization for Greek Independence called the Filiki Eteria.

Biography

Greek Priest
(late 18th century)

He was born in Zakynthos. His father's name was Ioannis. His father was a doctor and writer. He was also a famous poet. Records indicate Nikolaos was baptized on January 28, 1768. He was from a very wealthy and educated family. His teacher was famous Greek poet Antonios Martelaos.

He was taught painting by famous Greek painter Ioannis Korais. He was also taught by Nikolaos Koutouzis. He eventually became a priest. His style was influenced by both Panagiotis Doxaras and Nikolaos Doxaras.

According to records in 1786, he was ordained a priest and took a position at the church of Evangelistria in Zakynthos. By 1803, he was hired by the church committee of the now-destroyed church Agia Paraskevi, Zakynthos to paint 12 icons depicting theological stories.

He joined the secret greek society Filiki Eteria known as the Society of Friends. The group was dedicated to overthrowing Ottoman rule. In 1821, he was exiled by the English because of his liberal views. They sent him to the reef named Zeus, it was west of the coast of Kefalonia. While he was there he painted the Last Supper.

In 1823, he was honored with the rank of Grand Sakellarios and in 1825, he was mentioned in the codex of Saint Catherine of Sinai in Zakynthos. Records indicate, he was paid 100 thalers to create paintings for the church.

He died on April 25, 1834. He was about 66 years old. He left a detailed will. The will had interesting information about his life and property. Some of his students were the famous Greek painters Gerasimos Pitsamanos, Dionysios Tsokos and Dionysios Kallivokas. He influenced countless modern Greek painters. He is one of the earliest members of the modern Greek art period.

Gallery

• 
  Christ Removed From Cross
• 
  Portrait of Greek writer Elisabeth Muntzan
• 
  The Evangelist Matthew
• 
  Saint George the Dragon-Slayer
• 
  Descent from the Cross
• 
  Assumption
• 
  Descent from the Cross
• 
  Panagiotis Samartzis
• 
  Chemist Nikopoulos
• 
  The Last Supper
• 
  Priest

Notable Works

• Elisabeth Moutzan-Martinegko, ca 1832 National Gallery of Athens

See Also

• Andrea Mantegna

External links

Media related to Nikolaos Kantounis at Wikimedia Commons

• More paintings by Kantounis @ the "ΠΕΡΙ ΤΕΧΝΗΣ Ο ΛΟΓΟΣ" blog.