Exhibition “Romanticism in Corfu” curated by Megakles Rogakos at the Ionian Academy

This Festival is taking place under the auspices of the British Embassy, Athens, the Hellenic Republic’s Ministries of Culture and Tourism, and the Municipality of Corfu, between 7 July and 30 September 2018.
 

The painting exhibition “Romanticism in Corfu”, curated by Megakles Rogakos, includes 28 works, covering the period 1820-1920, never before shown together on Corfu. The earliest works are eight by Joseph Cartwright (England, 1789-1829), who served in the British Navy as a civilian artist, from his “Views in the Ionian Islands” album, published in 1821. Other works are by John Skene (England, 1780-1855), William Page (England, 1794-1872), John-Connell Ogle (Scotland, 1801-1870), George Pechell-Sands (England, 1810-1895), Thomas-Miles Richardson (England, 1813-1890), John Fulleylove (England, 1847-1908) and Sir William Herries (England, 1859-1923). The Schranz father and son – Anton (Germany, 1769-1839) and Joseph (Germany, 1803-1853) – are represented by two works each from the two periods of their visit to Corfu, 1826 and 1840. Included are three works by Edward Lear (England, 1812-1888), a famous writer and painter, who taught painting to Queen Victoria. Female painters are represented by Mrs. D. Payne Galliwell (England, 1860-1910) and Sarah Markham (England, 1865-1915). Herman Melville (USA, 1819-1891), author ofMoby Dick(1851), is represented by one work. Tristram Ellis (England, 1844-1922), known for depicting the Eastern Mediterranean, is represented by two works. Two Corfiot prominent water-colourists – Angelos Giallina (Greece, 1857-1939) and Spyridon Scarvelli (Greece, 1868-1942) are also represented in the exhibition. All of these works offer a representative romantic picture of the then urban life and landscape scenery in Corfu.

Mr Derek Johns writes in his introduction: “Romanticism was characterised by its emphasis on emotion and individualism as well as glorification of all the past and nature, preferring the medieval and the exotic rather than the classical.”

Dr Rogakos writes in his essay: “Romanticism seems endemic on Corfu, an island enshrouded in a veil of legend and mystery. Its unique ancient history is transformed in post-mythological times with the island’s natural attributes and built monuments with which it is blessed – Archaic temples, Byzantine churches, medieval castles, Venetian mansions, and neoclassical palaces.”

The romantic quality is evoked in the paintings focusing primarily on two collections from London. One collection is formed by the Corfu-born Count Spiro Flamburiari, who exemplarily cares for the history and heritage of the island. The other originates with the English born Derek Johns, former partner in Sotheby’s London, who adores the island and made it his home. So, by their mutual love for Corfu, this exhibition celebrates British-Hellenic relations at their best.

The “Romanticism in Corfu” exhibition will be presented at the Ionian Academy, Corfu, 2 – 26 August 2018. Mr Johns will present his related lecture at the Corfu Reading Society at 7.30pm on Friday, 3 August 2018.

Accompanying Catalogue:A fully-illustrated 130-page catalogue, including the “Introduction to Romanticism” by Mr Johns and Dr Rogakos’ essay for the “Romanticism in Corfu” exhibition, is published by the Corfu Heritage Foundation (ISBN: 978-618-83770-0-4).

Public Information

Exhibition:“Romanticism in Corfu” curated by Megakles Rogakos

Opening: 8pm, Thursday, 2 August 2018

Duration: 2 – 26 August2018

Venue: Ionian Academy, 1 Kapodistriou & Akadimias Street, 49100 Corfu, Greece

www.ionio.gr/en/prospective/university-history

Opening Hours: 8.30am – 9pm daily, except Sunday

Communication: Mrs Ioanna Anemogianni, +30 26610 87202, [email protected]

Visuals: http://www.corfuheritagefoundation.org/romanticism-in-corfu/