Artwork
Προσωπογραφία του Αντωνίου Κριέζη
Προσωπογραφία του Αντωνίου Κριέζη is an unspecified painting by the Impressionist artist Prossalendis Spyridon. It dates from 1865 and is held in the collection of the Historical & Ethnological Society of Greece.
About this work
Overview
Prossalendis Spyridon’s 1865 portrait, titled "Προσωπογραφία του Αντωνίου Κριέζη," is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The oil painting depicts a seated figure in full military dress, rendered against a dark backdrop with a muted red curtain on the left. The work measures the conventions of mid‑nineteenth‑century Greek portraiture, emphasizing formal presence and rank.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, identified as Antonios Kriezis, is presented in a ceremonial uniform complete with gold epaulettes, a blue sash, and an array of medals. His direct gaze, trimmed mustache, and poised hand holding a white glove convey a sense of authority and personal dignity, reflecting the social status of a senior officer in the period.
Technique & Style
Spyridon employs a restrained palette, allowing the metallic sheen of the epaulettes and the deep blues of the sash to stand out against the somber background. The brushwork is precise in the rendering of insignia, while the surrounding curtain is suggested with softer, broader strokes, creating a contrast between the figure’s crisp detail and the atmospheric setting.
History & Provenance
Created in 1865, the portrait entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings as part of its effort to document Greek military and cultural figures. Its provenance traces back to the artist’s studio, where it was likely commissioned to commemorate Kriezis’s service, before being transferred to the museum’s permanent collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Museum
Historical & Ethnological Society of Greece
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