Ioannis Altamouras Greek artist Country: Greece

Biography of Ioannis Altamouras

Ioannis Altamouras was a prominent Greek artist of the 19th century, best known for his maritime landscapes. He was born into the family of Italian artist Francesco Saverio Altamura and aristocratic painter Eleni Boukoura-Altamoura, who was originally from the Greek island of Spetses.

At the age of 7, Ioannis' father abandoned the family, and soon after, his mother moved him and his sister Sophia to Athens in hopes of giving them a better life. Altamouras began actively drawing at a young age, and his exceptional talent was evident even then. He further developed his skills by studying at the Athens School of Fine Arts, where he was mentored by renowned Greek artist Nikiphoros Lytras.

With a scholarship from Greek King George II, Ioannis traveled to Copenhagen to study under the guidance of Carl Frederik Sørensen from 1873 to 1876. In 1875, Altamouras briefly returned to Athens to participate in the 'Olympion' competition, where his painting "The Port of Copenhagen" won second place. After completing his studies, Ioannis permanently returned to Athens and opened his own art studio.

Altamouras quickly earned an impressive reputation as an artist, but his successful career was cut short by his untimely death from tuberculosis at the age of 26. His death was a shock to those around him, particularly his mother, who suffered a nervous breakdown and subsequent insanity.

Despite his relatively short career, Altamouras produced numerous notable works. He primarily worked on small canvases and had a particular affinity for depicting the sea in all its forms. His maritime paintings were often compared to the works of another prominent Greek master, Konstantinos Volanakis.

In the year of his death, two of Altamouras' paintings, "Destruction of the Ottoman flagship by Papanikolis in Eressos" and "Naval battle of Captain Miaoulis," were exhibited at the International Exhibition of Paris. The latter painting was later displayed at the Athens Polytechnic for the Battle of 1821 memorial exhibition. In 1911, several of Altamouras' works were featured at the International Exhibition of Rome.

Formally, Altamouras' works are often associated with the "Munich School" of Greek painting. However, this categorization is debatable, as Ioannis drew inspiration from French and Dutch masters and deviated from the traditional norms of the Munich School. His use of vibrant colors, open spaces, and exceptional ability to create a sense of movement suggest a preference for impressionism over academic realism.

To this day, Ioannis Altamouras is considered one of the most exceptional and talented artists in Greece. His works are regularly exhibited in prominent art galleries such as the National Gallery of Athens.