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Greek, 1879 - 1966
My Own Mona Lisa
mixed media
A unique monotype engraving hand printed on aquarelle paper,
hand painted by Galanis using mixed media (ink, thinned ink, pen, pencil, and tempera)
with dedication and notes.
hand signed lower left and initialled lower right
30 x 25 cm
50 x 45 cm (with frame)
Provenance
private collection, Greece
purchased from the heirs of Nassos Garofallos
Exhibited
Even though no catalogue has been found to exist, when we consider the dedication to Mr. Garofallos which is dated “Cairo May 1948” we can assume that this artwork was part of Galanis’ Cairo solo exhibition which took place in 1948.
Literature
Mavrommatis E., Athens 1983, page 430: 1948. Demetrios Galanis Personal exhibition in Alexandria. Gallery and catalogue information are not available, D. Galanis Personal exhibition in Cairo. Gallery and catalogue information are not available. Possible list of the works with which he took part in the Cairo exhibition. A list of Etchings, Woodcuts, Drawings, Painting follows. At the end on page 432, it notes “We retrieved the data of this participation from a typed list that was used for the processing of the items at the customs during their shipping to Cairo from the courier... The significance of this list is really great: for the first time after 1928 (Athens) and 1935 (Alexandria) we have a report of new engraving implementations of Galanis that drift away from the mythological and classical quests...”
This is a mixed technique artwork bearing a reversed artist proof signature inverted on plate “D. Galanis 1939” hand printed, painted with ink, thinned ink, pen, pencil, and tempera on aquarelle paper.
Signature, dedication and notes with tempera and pencil lower "... Cairo, May 1948... RARE”.
According to Mr. Garofallos heirs, Galanis himself gave this title ("My own Mona Lisa") and dedicated this artwork to Nassos Garofallos, telling him that the depicted lady had been his lover. Possibly for this reason he used many techniques with great attention to detail and characterised it as "Rare".
