Yannis Tsarouchis, 23rd March Square in Kalamata

The painting 23rd March Square in Kalamata by Yannis Tsarouchis depicts the building of the first branch of Alpha Bank in Kalamata, with the then name “COMMERCIAL CREDIT BANK” on its façade. The branch still stands today in the central square of Kalamata, 23rd March Square.

The piece is a typical sample of Tsarouchis’ representational painting. The artist’s technical prowess in rendering the architectural details, as well as the skilful rendition of perspective are especially notable.

The painting was commissioned along with the piece Credit Bank, which depicts the Alpha Bank central branch in Athens, at the corner of Stadiou and Pesmazoglou streets, as it stood in the late 1960s. The history of both these buildings is tied to Alpha Bank.

His life in a nutshell

Yannis Tsarouchis (1910-1989) was born and raised in Piraeus. Between 1928 and 1933 he studied Painting at the Athens School of Fine Arts under Konstantinos Parthenis. Along with his studies, he spent 4 years as an apprentice at the studio of Photis Kontoglou, where he was introduced to Byzantine painting and folklore.

In 1935 he went to Paris, where he learned the techniques of chalcography and became acquainted with modern art, as well as Renaissance art and baroque art. In 1936 he returned to Greece and in 1938 he held his first solo exhibition.

In 1940 he was drafted in the military, serving at the Albanian Front. In 1967, because of the junta, he settled in Paris where he stayed until 1983.

Besides his paintings, Yannis Tsarouchis also worked in stage design, as early as 1928, and was actually considered the top Greek scenographer.

The Yannis Tsarouchis Museum

In 1981 the artist founded the Yannis Tsarouchis Foundation at his home in Marousi, with the aim of promoting his work and its study. In 1982 he inaugurated it as the “Yannis Tsarouchis Foundation Museum”, donating his personal art collection to it.

Artistic influences

Yannis Tsarouchis was one of the most notable representatives of the artistic Generation of the ‘30s. Alongside his teacher, Konstantinos Parthenis, he was introduced to cubism and surrealism. He also combined Hellenistic and Byzantine art with Renaissance painting and impressionism.

The paintings of important artists, such as Matisse and Theophilos, together with folk traditions and the Karaghiozis puppets inspired him to create his unique personal style; his work striking a balance between the East and the West.

Favourite themes and artistic style

The paintings of Yannis Tsarouchis skilfully capture the Greek folk traditions, as well as elements from the city he was raised in, Piraeus.

Landscapes, still life and allegoric scenes were some of his favourite themes. However, his artistic interest was mainly focused on human forms. Individual portraits and scenes depicting sailors and soldiers cover a significant part of his paintings.

His artistic style often draws upon the techniques and methods of icon painting and Byzantine art. The sharp, elegant line is paired with an austere colour scale.

The work of art in our publications

The painting 23rd March Square in Kalamata by Yannis Tsarouchis is referenced in the following Alpha Bank publications:

• 1821 Before and After: Greeks and Greece, Revolution and State, edited by Tasos Sakelaropoulos and Maria Dimitriadou. The publication accompanied the exhibition “1821 Before and After” which opened at Benaki Museum in 2021.
  
  Buy the publication 1821:Before and After: Greeks and Greece, Revolution and State on the Alpha Bank e-shop.
  
  
• The Alpha Bank Collection. Paintings – Prints – Sculptures, edited by Irene Orati. The publication accompanied the same-titled exhibition held at the Benaki Museum in 2005.
  
  Buy the publication The Alpha Bank Collection. Paintings – Prints – Sculpture (only available in Greek) on the Alpha Bank e-shop.

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