Pizzamano fecit: An Heptanese artist at the dawn of a new era

Item

Title

Painting

Ionian islands

Pitsamanos Gerasimos See all items with this value Pitsamanos Gerasimos -> Searchculture.gr

Date

7 March–23 August 2019

Date Issued

2021

Abstract

"The exhibition presents the work of the Ionian architect-painter Gerasimos Pitsamanos (or Gerasimo Pizzamano). An important, as well as unknown Ionian architect and painter of the early 19th century, is presented for the first time at the National Historical Museum. Pitsamanos (Argostoli 1787–Corfu 1825) lived a novel life at the dawn of a new era, working for the progress and freedom of the Ionian Islands and Hellenism. His testimony, through his art and writings, is valuable. The museum presents all the well-known work through more than 100 paintings, architecture and engravings. The museum’s collection is complemented by other well-known paintings, which are preserved in the National Gallery–Alexandros Soutsos Museum and in the hands of individuals. Pitsamanos was the first professor of architecture and wrote the first book of architecture in Greece, introduced secular engraving to the Ionian Islands, created the ionic symbols and was loved as a portrait painter. A worthy designer of the best western travellers and with an eye of rare sensitivity, he left us depictions of people, costumes, landscapes and monuments from the Ionian Islands, Ottoman Greece and Istanbul. He was the first Greek who, with the support of Napoleon, studied painting and architecture in the most important schools in Europe. In Corfu under British protection, he worked for all the great demands of the liberal Ionian Islands. Initiated into the Philiki Etaireia, he lived close to the outbreak of the revolution in Istanbul. After his episodic escape, he was put in the service of the Russian tsar, recommended by Ioannis Kapodistrias. His untimely death at the age of just 38, his work scattered throughout Europe, and even the 1953 earthquake that levelled Argostoli, did not allow the great importance of Pitsamanos’ art and historical testimony to be highlighted. "

(Edited text from National Historical Museum: https://nhmuseum.gr/ektheseis/periodikes/item/249-ekthesi-pizzamano-fecit-enas-eptanisios-kallitexnis-stin-avgi-mias-neas-epoxis)