School of Konstantinos Volanakis, The Hybris Ship in Piraeus, 1891, Oil on Canvas

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"The Hybris Ship in Piraeus," School of Konstantinos Volanakis, 1891 – Greece

Technique: Oil on canvas
Title of the work: … Read more "The Hybris Ship in Piraeus," School of Konstantinos Volanakis, 1891 – Greece

Technique: Oil on canvas
Title of the work: "The Hybris Ship in Piraeus"
School: School of Konstantinos Volanakis
Signed and dated
Year: 1891
Country of origin: Greece
Good condition considering its age and use
Overall dimensions: 50 x 59.5 x 8 cm
Dimensions without frame: 22 x 31 cm

A spectacular oil on canvas, titled "The Hybris Ship in Piraeus," from the school or circle of Konstantinos Volanakis, signed and dated in Piraeus in 1891.

Konstantinos Volanakis (Crete, 1837 – Piraeus, 1907) is recognized as the father of Greek marine painting. Born into a wealthy family, he moved to Trieste, Italy, in 1856, where he dedicated himself to painting. He studied at the Munich Academy. He is one of the leading representatives of the Munich School, a 19th-century Greek art movement. His works, almost always related to the sea, are now exhibited in the most important museums in Greece and abroad.

This work closely follows his style. It depicts a view of Piraeus, Athens' main seaport and a crucial point of connection between the Greek islands. The scene features a tranquil beach, with people strolling and boats at varying depths. The sea became a fundamental space during this period, as it highlighted the economic and social identity of the prosperous countries of the time.

The composition is divided into two planes, almost diagonally, the beach and the sea, in a balanced symbiosis that results in a peaceful and serene effect. The mastery of light and the soft color palette transport us to a beautiful sunset where several vessels are visible, including a large, long-masted sailing ship that stands out as the protagonist of the work. The ship's name, Hybris (or Hibris), derives from a Greek concept that can be translated as "arrogance, haughtiness, insolence, pride, outrage, unbridled passion, or excess," so the ship's name would be Boldness, Proud…

The work, of great precision and technical virtuosity, is presented as a perfectly harmonized symphony, where the created atmosphere flows naturally. Starting from an austere realist style, based on the academic norms of the Munich School, a clear influence of the modernism of the Impressionist landscape painters, who were already making their mark at the beginning of the 20th century, is evident.

A work of extraordinary mastery and exquisite visual aesthetics.

The frame protecting the artwork is offered as a gift, but it has intrinsic value. It is provided at no extra cost so that your artwork can be displayed immediately upon arrival at your home or destination. Any damage to the frame itself that does not affect the integrity of the artwork cannot be accepted as valid grounds for filing a claim or requesting a cancellation. See less