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Mother's Day: Greek Painters on Motherhood

Helenee by Helenee

A Work Of Art To Speak Of A Mother's Love

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but a work of art might be worth millions. These lovely mother-child pictures are the works of major Greek painters of the 19th and early 20th century - some were even paid for dearly in grand auctions houses.

Because Love and Beauty needs to be shared, here you will find them in downloadable form, to print and use them for a Mother's Day craft, to frame and make a precious gift of them, or to just delight in their sight.

Motherly Affection, by Georgios Iakovides

Playing Adult

Baby Feeds Mommy



Reversing Roles, by Georgios Iakovides

The Family Is Growing

Look, Mommy Brought Us A Little Brother!



The New Arrival, by Nikolas Gyzis

The painter immortalized the birth of his son Telemachos Gyzis.

Mother Knows How Much You Want To Grow Up

You Are Eager To Fly, She Will Help You Stand On Your Feet



Children's Concert, by Georgios Iakovides

Our Painters

Ethography: Representing Scenes Of A People's Everyday Life And Characters

Nikolas Gyzis (1842-1901) was born in the island of Tinos, at the Aegean Sea. His family moved to Athens when he was no more than eight years old and Nikolas was the youngest ever student to attend classes in Athens School of Fine Arts. At the age of 23 he won a scholarship to continue his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, where he became a Professor in 1886. In the meantime, having returned to his homeland for a period of several years, he painted many themes inspired from life in Greece. Nikolas Gyzis' paintings are widely renowned and appreciated in his country and abroad.

Nikephoros Lytras (1832-1904) was also born in Tinos and begun his studies in Athens to later win a scholarship for the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. When political events resulted in the discontinuance of his scolarship, financial distress led him back in Greece where he became Professor of Painting in the Athens School of Fine Arts and created many fabulous paintings. His son, Nikolaos Lytras, became a painter too.

Georgios Iakovides (1853-1932) was born in the island of Lesvos. Like Gyzis and Lytras, he begun his studies in Athens and later moved to Munich, where he made a career for himself. In 1900 the Greek government invited him to organize the National Gallery of Athens and be its curator for many years. While he painted many landscapes, portraits, still lives, etc, he is most famous for his paintings of children.

Mommy's Always Doing Things

But, Be Sure, She Will Let Her Needlework Aside For A While To Play With You



Peekaboo, by Nikolas Gyzis

Respect Your Mother For Raising You

Still, Remember That Her Charge Feels Light As A Feather When She Sees You Thriving



Return From The Fair, by Nikephoros Lytras

A Grandma Is A Mom Too

And She's So Proud Of You



First Steps, by Georgios Iakovides

Interlude: Greek Painter Nikolaos Gyzis

An Art Journey

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Greek Painters At Sotheby's

You Are Looking At Some Pretty Expensive Stuff

Since 2001, the world-famous Auctions House Sotheby's London organizes Greek Sales with a focus on 19th and 20th century painters.

Within eight years (2001-2009), sales of Greek works of art yielded 60 million GBP (97,513,060 USD), the most expensive painting being Nikephoros Lytras' "Troublemaker Grandchild" (see below) which was sold for 1,082,215 EUR (1,543,297 USD).

Grandma Is Already Practiced In Love

And You Have Her Wrapped Around Your Finger



Grandma's Pet, by Georgios Iakovides

Growing Up Can Be Harsh Sometimes

Bath Time Will Be Over Soon And A Plate Of Hot Pancakes Will Make It Up For You



Cold Bath, by Georgios Iakovides

Look at Granma's gnarled hands - she has worked hard to raise your mother, and now you. Don't you just adore her?

Grandma Is Chiding You?

What Have You Been Up To Again, Little Monkey?



Troublemaker Grandchild, by Nikephoros Lytras

About The Author

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Let Me Tell You A Secret...

Mother's Day is every day, when she sees you grow and be happy.
Don't you agree?

  • Carolina HeartStrings May 14, 2012 @ 3:19 pm | delete
    Great post. Loved looking at the artwork and learning some new names. The emotions and expressions are timeless.
  • d-artist Jan 9, 2012 @ 7:23 pm | delete
    What awesome art by Greek artist...I just never heard of these artists, it now has sparked my interest...Thanks for sharing!
  • goldenecho Aug 31, 2011 @ 9:48 pm | delete
    Neat lens. I like how much these are like my own snapshots...different clothes, different setting, but in the essential things so much the same.
  • Joie Aug 30, 2011 @ 3:55 pm | delete
    This is beautiful, Helenee. As a mother, I have a very soft place in my heart for mother-and-baby pictures. (On my cafepress site, I have a calendar called "Mother Love" dedicated to this very subject!) Thank you for including several mother-and-baby pictures I hadn't seen yet!
    CONGRATULATIONS on your purple star!
  • CreativeArtist Jun 30, 2011 @ 5:23 pm | delete
    The best portraits and photos are ones taken in the moment. These are lovely and brought a smile to my face.
  • hamshi5433 Jun 19, 2011 @ 9:26 am | delete
    Woww I love these kind of paintings..So beautiful and cute. and yup mothers day is definitely every day! I hope i become a mother soon ha :) love your art show here..well done again! :)
  • Ysis May 8, 2011 @ 12:46 pm | delete
    Very nice presentation Helenee! As a Greek I feel proud for both your lens and the painters presented here. In spite of all adversities Greece has produced great minds.
  • chrispell017 May 7, 2011 @ 11:29 am | delete
    nice lens!
  • LensSeller May 2, 2011 @ 6:11 am | delete
    A beautiful lens Helenee!
  • GonnaFly May 1, 2011 @ 4:17 pm | delete
    What a beautiful compilation. I'm adding a link to this page from my printable Mother's Day cards.
  • Susan52 May 1, 2011 @ 12:37 pm | delete
    What an original topic! This page made me smile. Love it!
  • AbsoluteJeanius Apr 29, 2011 @ 5:27 pm | delete
    What a lovely lens! Beautiful art!
  • mismatch Apr 29, 2011 @ 11:36 am | delete
    it is true for the lucky moms and their lucky children. For some, life is not that straightforward. But let us be glad for those are happy!
  • Ilona1 Apr 28, 2011 @ 3:32 pm | delete
    So true! I love these pictures and the lens you have made.
  • Tipi Apr 26, 2011 @ 10:53 am | delete
    Yes, I agree, that " Mothers Day is every day" as I watched my children grow and be happy. You have found such wonderful printable classics, I loved your art show here!
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Helenee

Among painters who showcased the unique mother-child relationship, Greek artists can exhibit a gallery of lovely works of art illustrating a mother's... more »

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