Artwork
Προσωπογραφία του Κυριακούλη Μαυρομιχάλη
Προσωπογραφία του Κυριακούλη Μαυρομιχάλη is an unspecified painting by the Impressionist artist Prossalendis Spyridon. It dates from 1886 and is held in the collection of the Historical & Ethnological Society of Greece.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1886 by the Greek painter Prossalendis Spyridon, this portrait depicts a solitary male figure rendered in oil on canvas. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed among other nineteenth‑century Greek artworks.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is shown in a richly ornamented red and gold vest, clutching a sword and a decorative bowl. His dark hair, moustache, and solemn expression suggest a martial or ceremonial role, evoking themes of readiness and honor within a traditional Greek context.
Technique & Style
Spyridon employs a dark, muted background that isolates the figure, allowing the reflective sheen of the vest’s metallic threads to capture light. Fine brushwork outlines the intricate patterns on the clothing and the ornate details of the sword and bowl, emphasizing texture and materiality.
History & Provenance
Since its completion, the portrait has remained in Greece, eventually entering the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings. The museum acquired the piece as part of its effort to preserve visual records of regional dress and social customs from the late Ottoman period.
Context
The painting reflects a period when Greek artists often documented local aristocracy and military figures, combining realistic portraiture with decorative elements drawn from folk costume. Such works served both as personal commemoration and as visual testimony of cultural identity during a time of national consolidation.
Artist & collection
Artist
Museum
Historical & Ethnological Society of Greece
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