Since emerging from Ottoman rule ca. 1832, Greece has remained economically peripheral to Europe. Which is probably why Greece-born Nikolaos Gyzis (1842-1901) studied art in Munich, returned home, and then left again for Munich where it was easier for him to pursue a career as an artist. That career is outlined in this Wikipedia entry in English. Wikipedia suggests readers link to his Greek entry and translate to get more information. There are Wikipedia entries for Gyzis in many languages, perhaps because he is considered a major 19th century Greek artist.

Unless an artist is largely or entirely bound to the artistic traditions of his ethnic culture, his personal style when painting representationally will not differ hugely from a number of representational artists from other backgrounds. Which is a long-winded way of stating that Gyzis was essential a Munich School painter, his Greek origin notwithstanding.

Gallery

[Image]Eros and the Painter - 1868
This is considered his most famous painting, according to some Internet sites. Maybe it was famous, but I don't think it's his best work.

[Image]Girl Washing Her Feet - 1871

[Image]Artist's Psyche

[Image]Oriental Warrior

[Image]Dance of the Nymphs

[Image]Historia - allegory

[Image]Pan C. Papastathis tobacco products advertising, Munich

[Image]The Archangel - study for The Grounding of Faith - 1895

[Image]The Spider - 1884
I think this is intriguing, and a lot like Belgian Symbolist painting. It might have influenced Franz Stuck who was still a student when this was painted -- though Gyzis did not become a Munich Academy professor until 1886.