Konstantinos Volanakis Greek artist Country: Greece

Biography of Konstantinos Volanakis

Konstantinos Volanakis was a Greek artist who played a significant role in the maritime art of Greece. He was born in Heraklion, Crete in 1837. After completing his schooling in 1856, Volanakis moved to Trieste, Italy, following the wishes of his older brothers. There, he worked as an accountant for a well-known sugar merchant named Afentulis.

Afentulis was the first to recognize Volanakis' talent as an artist. He discovered his abilities when he found Volanakis drawing ships and sketches of harbors on the pages of his ledgers. Instead of reprimanding him, Afentulis encouraged Volanakis to pursue his artistic talents and sent him to the Munich Academy of Fine Arts. Under the guidance of Karl von Piloty, Volanakis honed his skills as a painter.

After his training, Volanakis worked in Vienna, Munich, and Trieste before returning to Greece in 1883. He settled in Piraeus, where he lived, painted, and taught at the local School of Fine Arts.

Volanakis gained fame for his maritime landscapes, with ships being a recurring theme in his artwork. Even in a country known for its strong tradition of maritime art, there were few marine painters as accomplished as Volanakis. He was renowned for his academic realism, influenced by the techniques and styles of the Munich School. However, he also incorporated elements of impressionism into some of his works.

Volanakis' paintings continue to adorn Greek museums and exhibition halls. One of his artworks is displayed at the Piraeus metro station. Several of his paintings have sold at auctions for impressive sums, reaching hundreds of thousands of euros. In November 2008, his painting "Karaiskakis, Faliro" sold for a record-breaking two million euros.

Konstantinos Volanakis passed away on June 29, 1907, in Piraeus, leaving behind a remarkable artistic legacy.