(b Piraeus, 13 Jan 1910; d Athens, 20 July 1989). Greek painter, stage designer, illustrator and writer. From 1928 to 1934 he worked as an apprentice in the workshop of Fotis Kontoglou, studying from 1932 to 1934 at the Higher School of Fine Arts in Athens, where he was taught at the Asylon Technis Gallery. Like most of the avant-garde intellectuals of his generation, he became actively involved with the popular art movement and the search for a Greekness in art. He travelled extensively in Greece, and went to Constantinople (now Istanbul) and Asia Minor studying Byzantine music, painting, textiles and the traditional shadow theatre. In 1935 he went to Paris where he was influenced by Matisse, in particular by such works as Cyclist in a Mauve Singlet (1936; see Tsarouchis, pl. 23), and by Demetrios Galanis. After 1938 he contributed costume and set designs for both the National and the Karolos Koun Theatre in Athens. While serving in World War II he executed numerous sketches of soldiers; these men were to become his favourite subject. From 1941 to 1944 he worked as a professional stage designer to earn his living. He also designed operatic sets for Franco Zeffirelli’s production of Cherubini’s Médée at Epidaurus in Greece, and for productions at La Scala in Milan, Covent Garden in London and the Avignon Festival in France. He contributed illustrations for literary works and published numerous essays on art and drama. In 1967 he moved to Paris and in 1973 returned to live in Athens. After his death his studio home in Maroussi was converted into a museum.

• Tsarouhis, Yannis
  • works
    • Greece, §III: Painting