Yannis Tsarouchis, one of the most celebrated painters of so called ‘Greece’s 1930s Generation’, achieved a new world record at Bonhams Greek Sale in Paris on Wednesday, with his iconic work Jeune homme posant comme Eros avec une chaise anglaise (Youth posing as Eros next to an English chair) sold for €571,900 (AUD $919,254).
The oil-on-canvas piece, painted in the early to mid-1960s, epitomises Tsarouchis’s mastery of male portraiture and cultural commentary.
The figure, often compared to a modern Kouros, embodies the artist’s bold exploration of themes such as identity and sexuality.
In collaboration with Athens-based Art Expertise, the sale reached a total of €2,956,720 ($AUD 4,752,276). With 69 per cent of lots sold and close to 100 per cent of the total value achieved, the auction demonstrated strong demand for Greek art, attracting bidders from both Greek-speaking and international markets.
“This was a high-quality sale with paintings from all major eras of Greek art drawing significant interest,” noted Terpsichore Angelopoulou, Director of Art Expertise in Athens.
“Many works exceeded their upper estimates, and we’re encouraged by the global interest, which we expect to grow in 2025.”
Other highlights from the sale
– Yiannis Moralis – Eroticon (1997)
Eroticon, a 1997 work by Yiannis Moralis, sold for €483,000, surpassing its estimate of €300,000–500,000. Known for his poetic and sensuous use of curved lines, Moralis explores the harmony between human forms and musical resonance in this evocative piece.
– Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika – Hydra – Landscape II (1946)
A 1946 oil painting by Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika, formerly part of the George Michailides collection, fetched €171,850—more than three times its estimate. The work captures a vibrant seascape from the artist’s studio at his family’s mansion in Kamini, Hydra.
– Constantinos Volanakis – Harbour Scene
Renowned seascape painter Constantinos Volanakis’ Harbour Scene sold for €76,600. The composition showcases Volanakis’ hallmark precision and unity of detail, creating an austere yet captivating maritime vista.
– Nikos Engonopoulos – Vincenzo Cornaro and Georgios Chortatzis
This evocative work by surrealist painter Nikos Engonopoulos also achieved €76,600, highlighting his mastery of vibrant storytelling through vivid imagery.
