Spyros Vassiliou, Port of Thessaloniki

Between realism and lyricism

With the work Port of Thessaloniki, Spyros Vassiliou composes a tender depiction of the city of Thessaloniki and the Thermaic Gulf.

In the foreground, the image of the sea dominates. On its surface, ships appear almost suspended in the light, while the city's buildings and the surrounding hills can be discerned in the background.

Vassiliou doesn’t seek to depict the port with precision. His main intention is to convey the sense of calm that the image of the sea and the city exudes. This way, he creates a composition that balances between realism and lyricism, reflecting his longing for light and atmosphere.

Hymn to Greek light

In the Port of Thessaloniki, Vassiliou uses colours and light with remarkable skill. Light shades of blue and grey coexist harmoniously across the canvas. The result is an almost poetic image, in which Thessaloniki emerges as a place of serenity and timeless beauty. With the simplicity and refinement that define his oeuvre, Vassiliou composes a true hymn to Greek light.

His life in a nutshell

Spyros Vassiliou (1902/3-1985) was born in Galaxidi. He came to Athens in 1921 and studied Painting at the Athens School of Fine Arts until 1926, under Nikolaos Lytras.

He taught in various art and theatre schools for many years. Other than painting, he worked in scenography, icon painting and engraving. As of 1927, he started creating stage sets for many plays and films.

In the years of the German Occupation of Greece, he turned to engraving. He secretly published woodcuts, illustrated manuscripts and handwritten editions. His artistic creations also include book illustrations.

Artistic influences

Vassiliou was an important representative of the so-called Generation of the 30s and more specifically of the Athens School. His work is centred around Greekness. As with all the representatives of this generation, he promoted the need to return to the roots of modern-Greek art.

In his works, folk and Byzantine art meet the contemporary movements of his time. Vassiliou, with a folk-like style, turned select elements of the Greek tradition into forms of constructivism, surrealism, pop art and photo-realism.

Favourite themes

Vassiliou’s works depict landscapes, scenes of everyday life and compositions with a lyrical or dream-like feeling.

The painter represented natural and urban space using oils, temperas and watercolours. His favourite themes include portraits, still life and scenes from everyday life.

A recognised artist

Vassiliou began to exhibit his work in 1926. In 1929 he held his first solo exhibition at the Stratigopoulos Gallery. In 1930 he won the Benaki Award for designing the murals at the Agios Dionysios Areopagitis Church.

He was a founding member of the Techni (Art) and Stathmi (Level) groups and participated in their exhibitions. He also participated in the Venice Biennale (1934, 1964), the Alexandria Biennale (1957) and the São Paulo Biennale (1959).

In 1960 his work Lights and Shadows was exhibited at the Guggenheim Museum and honoured with the local award of AICA Hellas. In 1975 and 1983 his works were exhibited at the National Gallery.

Spyros Vassiliou in the Alpha Bank Art Collection

The following works by Spyros Vassiliou are also part of our Art Collection:

• Drosoula
• Athens
• Galatsi
• Ardittos

The last 2 date back to the late 1920s and are among the artist’s early works. They depict views of the Athenian landscape and are marked by plain design and a soft, dull colour palette that evokes Byzantine art.

Participation in exhibitions

The work Port of Thessaloniki was presented in the group exhibitions:

• “The Alpha Bank Collection. Paintings-Prints-Sculptures” held at the Benaki Museum from 12.10.2005 to 20.11.2005.
• “Greek Art from 1920 until Today” held at the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art from 09.11.2006 to 17.01.2007.

The work of art in our publications

The work Port of Thessaloniki is referenced in our publications:

• The Alpha Bank Collection. Paintings – Prints – Sculptures, edited by Irene Orati.

Buy the publication The Alpha Bank Collection. Paintings – Prints – Sculpture (Hardcover) (only available in Greek) on the Alpha Bank e-shop.

• The Alpha Bank Collection. Greek Art from 1920 until Today, edited by Irene Orati. The publication accompanied the same-titled exhibition.

Buy the  publication The Alpha Bank Collection. Greek Art from 1920 until Today on the Alpha Bank e-shop.

The Port of Thessaloniki  by Spyros Vassiliou is displayed inside the Alpha Bank building at the HUB26 in Thessaloniki.

You can visit it by appointment. Contact us to book your visit.