Artwork
Πρόσωπο με δυο χρώματα
Πρόσωπο με δυο χρώματα is an unspecified work on paper by the Abstract Expressionist artist Alex Mylona. It dates from 1953 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Organisation of Museums of Visual Arts of Thessaloniki – MOMus. The work presents a close‑up of a woman's face rendered with swift, gestural brushwork.
About this work
The simple yet expressive style of this portrait is reminiscent of the work of Mylona, Alex (1920-2016).
The painting shows a woman's face with simple features.
It's created with quick brushstrokes and only two main colors.
The artist focuses on the eyes and gaze, giving the portrait a sense of depth.
The portrait has an abstract feel to it, which was influenced by the artistic style of the time. The artist was part of a group that explored new ways of expressing Greek identity through art. This group, known as the "Generation of the '30s," played a significant role in shaping Greek art.
The simple yet expressive style of this portrait is reminiscent of the work of Mylona, Alex (1920-2016).
Overview
The work presents a close‑up of a woman's face rendered with swift, gestural brushwork. The composition is limited to two dominant hues, creating a stark yet harmonious palette. The gaze is directed toward the viewer, granting the portrait a penetrating presence despite its minimal detail.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is identified solely by her facial features, with particular emphasis on the eyes, which convey an introspective or contemplative mood. By reducing the portrait to essential elements, the artist invites reflection on identity and presence, echoing broader inquiries into Greek cultural self‑definition during the early twentieth century.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolor, the piece relies on rapid, expressive strokes that suggest form rather than delineate it. The limited chromatic range heightens the contrast between light and shadow, while the abstraction of facial contours aligns with the modernist tendencies of the period, reminiscent of the simplified visual language employed by Alex Mylona.
Context
Created within the milieu of Greece’s “Generation of the ’30s,” the painting reflects the collective effort of artists to forge a contemporary visual identity rooted in national tradition. This cohort sought to merge avant‑garde methods with Greek themes, and the portrait’s pared‑down aesthetic exemplifies their experimental approach to representing cultural heritage.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alex Mylona (Athens, 1920 – 2016) was a Greek sculptor, known for her multidimensional and experimental approach to art.
Museum
Metropolitan Organisation of Museums of Visual Arts of Thessaloniki – MOMus
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