Description
Nikolaos Ferekidis (1862-1929)
Painting, oil on canvas, glued to wood.
Dimensions: 34.0 X 51.0 cm.
Biography:
The impressionist painter Nikolaos Ferekidis was born in Neapolis of Cappadocia, Asia Minor (now Nevsehir) in 1862. He studied painting at the School of Fine Arts in Athens (1888-1892).
In 1901 he went to Munich on the orders of the governor of the National Bank, Stefanos Strait, to copy large compositions by the German painter Peter Von Hess on the subject of Otto’s arrival in Nafplio and Athens. These projects now adorn the Bank’s main branch. He continued his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, where he continued to work. In 1909 he settled in Greece.
Together with the architect Argyris Zachos, who had returned from Germany earlier, they walked Greece from one end to the other, capturing in photographs and drawings Byzantine, mid-Byzantine and traditional buildings.
From 1919-1922 he lived in Thessaloniki, where he made copies of the mosaics and murals of the church of Agios Dimitrios. This work was probably commissioned by the person in charge of the restoration works of the church that had been severely damaged by the fire of 1917.
All the copies of the representations of Agios Dimitrios are characterized by absolute fidelity to the Byzantine originals of the 7th century. Later they were bought by the Byzantine Museum. Also, many of his works are in the National Gallery.
Nikolaos Ferekidis died in Athens in 1929, having been described as a “painter of the Greek landscape”. Indeed, the painter depicts either Greek nature or the Greek tradition, closely connected with the Orthodox Church.
Nikolaos Ferekidis (1862-1929) – Painting, oil on canvas, glued to wood – A very beautiful and collectible painting.
Code: C631
