With this exhibition, the Society of Cretan Historical Studies presents anew to visitors to the Historical Museum of Crete the majority of works by painter Thomas Papadoperakis donated to the Modern Art Collections of the Society of Cretan Historical Studies. The entire body of works generously donated by his sister, the distinguished sculptor Aspasia Papadoperaki, and his brothers Giorgos and Yannis Papadoperakis, was exhibited alongside works loaned by private collectors and artists of our city, in a major tribute to the artist held in the Temporary Exhibition Rooms of the Historical Museum of Crete in 2012.

Hommage à Thomas Papadoperakis is presented in the 2nd-floor foyer in natural lighting and air flow conditions, making it safe and pleasant for small groups of visitors. In the same spirit, the SCHS and the Historical Museum of Crete are planning similar events, with the common aim of highlighting art and cultural heritage while safeguarding public health.

The selected works in the temporary exhibition of the Historical Museum of Crete are representative of the multiform talent of Thomas Papadoperakis, with his characteristic techniques and studies emphasising the human form in his blackened and vague figures.

The art and interpretive quests of Thomas Papadoperakis are captured by major figures of the art world and the artist himself in the printed Greek edition and the English e-book published by the Society of Cretan Historical Studies in 2012, which is edited by Katerina Schina with text editing by Claire Mitsotaki. There is a foreword by Aspasia Papadoperaki. The artistic personality of the painter is analysed in depth by Denys Zacharopoulos in his introduction Waking up with a painting in my hands. A tribute to Thomas Papadoperakis. Visitors can also investigate aspects of the painter’s life and art using the exhibition touchscreen.

Born in 1943 in Spilia, Heraklion, Thomas Papadoperakis came in contact with the Byzantine painting of the Cretan School at an early age. He studied Printmaking, Painting, Set Design and Pottery at the Athens School of Fine Arts under Mavroides, Grammatopoulos and Vassileiadis, gaining distinctions, followed by a degree from the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he studied under Gustave Singier.

During his seven-year stay in Paris, he associated with Yannis Tsarouchis and powerful personalities from the art world, such as Iris Clert, Lila de Nobili, Alexander Iolas, César and Tériade.

His work won two awards (the Nikos Kazantzakis Prize, Heraklion 1998 and the Audience Award at Art Jonction International, Cannes 1995). The artist also held 12 solo exhibitions in Greece and France and participated in many major international group exhibitions.

In spite of his untimely death (Nice, 2002), Papadoperakis’s work establishes him as one of the most interesting and singular figures of modern Greek art.

His works are housed in the National Gallery in Athens and in private collections in Greece and abroad, including the Élie de Rothschild collection in Paris.

HOMMAGE À THOMAS PAPADOPERAKIS

Exhibition duration: until Summer 2022 (extension)

Admission to the exhibition is included in the general admission fee

Information: +30 2810-283219, ext. 101