Gerasimos Pitsamanos or Pitzamanos (Greek: Γεράσιμος Πιτσαμάνος or Πιτζαμάνος; 6 March 1787 – 5 December 1825) was a Greek architect and portrait painter. Most of his known works are watercolors.
He was born in the Ionian Islands to a family that was originally from Crete. His grandfather Konstantinos, a priest and painter, had come from there to work on the Church of the Holy Unmercenaries. His father, Vikentios, was also a priest and painter, so his artistic inclinations were encouraged and, after beginning his studies at home, was sent to Zakynthos to work with Nikolaos Kantounis.[1]
Portrait of Sir Thomas Maitland, Lord High Commissioner of the Ionian Islands (1815-1823)
In 1802, not long after the creation of the Septinsular Republic, he joined the Republic's army and became a captain in the engineering corps. Five years later, when the area reverted to French control, he was appointed Director of the topographical service and was assigned to map the islands and the coastal areas of Epirus. In 1809, he was part of a diplomatic mission to Ali Pasha. Later that year, the Ionian Senate sent him to Rome to complete his studies at public expense.[2]
Portrait of Lady with a Fishbowl.
While there, he not only studied painting, but was involved in architecture and sculpture as well, becoming an associate of Antonio Canova.[1] In 1812, he was named an honorary member of the Accademia di San Luca. During that time, he designed a triumphal arch, celebrating Napoleon's marriage and victories in Germany. His designs earned him the Order of the Reunion.[2] In 1814, he returned home and worked as an architect for the civil service. A year later, when the islands changed hands again, he went to Paris, where he met with Adamantios Korais, who was unsuccessful at convincing him to become an art teacher and work at Korais' school on Chios. However, when the British regained control in 1817, he accepted a teaching position at the Ionian Academy.[1]
In 1818, Sir Frederick Adam invited him along on trips to Ottoman occupied territories in Greece, where he made numerous sketches.[2] They arrived in Istanbul in 1820, just before the beginning of the Greek Revolution, and he was initiated into a secret patriotic organization known as "Filiki Eteria".[1] Following his participation in a protest-themed stage play, he had to seek refuge in the British Embassy.
In 1821, Ioannis Kapodistrias, who was then serving as Foreign Minister of the Russian Empire, invited him to work in Saint Petersburg as the court architect.[1] He accepted but, a few years later, was diagnosed with tuberculosis and went to Italy seeking a cure. When it became obvious that he would not recover, he returned to Corfu, where he died, aged only thirty-eight.[2]
Anastassia Koule (ed.) "The Chevalier Gerasimos Pitzamanos - Painter and Architect (2 vols., in Greek), Historical & Ethnological Society of Greece (2013) Listing @ Biblio.com
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gerasimos Pitzamanos.
An Allegory of the Septinsular Republic 2014-03-08 at the Wayback Machine @ Art Corfu.
Works by Pitzamanos @ Pandektis.
March 14, 2024
gerasimos, pitsamanos, pitzamanos, greek, Γεράσιμος, Πιτσαμάνος, Πιτζαμάνος, march, 1787, december, 1825, greek, architect, portrait, painter, most, known, works, watercolors, self, portrait, 1817born, 1787, 1787argostoli, cephaloniadied5, december, 1825, 1825. Gerasimos Pitsamanos or Pitzamanos Greek Gerasimos Pitsamanos or Pitzamanos 6 March 1787 5 December 1825 was a Greek architect and portrait painter Most of his known works are watercolors Gerasimos PitsamanosSelf portrait ca 1817BornGerasimos Pitsamanos 1787 05 16 16 May 1787Argostoli CephaloniaDied5 December 1825 1825 12 05 aged 38 CorfuNationalityGreekKnown forPortrait painting architecture Contents 1 Biography 2 Gallery 3 References 4 Further reading 5 External linksBiography editHe was born in the Ionian Islands to a family that was originally from Crete His grandfather Konstantinos a priest and painter had come from there to work on the Church of the Holy Unmercenaries His father Vikentios was also a priest and painter so his artistic inclinations were encouraged and after beginning his studies at home was sent to Zakynthos to work with Nikolaos Kantounis 1 nbsp Portrait of Sir Thomas Maitland Lord High Commissioner of the Ionian Islands 1815 1823 In 1802 not long after the creation of the Septinsular Republic he joined the Republic s army and became a captain in the engineering corps Five years later when the area reverted to French control he was appointed Director of the topographical service and was assigned to map the islands and the coastal areas of Epirus In 1809 he was part of a diplomatic mission to Ali Pasha Later that year the Ionian Senate sent him to Rome to complete his studies at public expense 2 nbsp Portrait of Lady with a Fishbowl While there he not only studied painting but was involved in architecture and sculpture as well becoming an associate of Antonio Canova 1 In 1812 he was named an honorary member of the Accademia di San Luca During that time he designed a triumphal arch celebrating Napoleon s marriage and victories in Germany His designs earned him the Order of the Reunion 2 In 1814 he returned home and worked as an architect for the civil service A year later when the islands changed hands again he went to Paris where he met with Adamantios Korais who was unsuccessful at convincing him to become an art teacher and work at Korais school on Chios However when the British regained control in 1817 he accepted a teaching position at the Ionian Academy 1 In 1818 Sir Frederick Adam invited him along on trips to Ottoman occupied territories in Greece where he made numerous sketches 2 They arrived in Istanbul in 1820 just before the beginning of the Greek Revolution and he was initiated into a secret patriotic organization known as Filiki Eteria 1 Following his participation in a protest themed stage play he had to seek refuge in the British Embassy In 1821 Ioannis Kapodistrias who was then serving as Foreign Minister of the Russian Empire invited him to work in Saint Petersburg as the court architect 1 He accepted but a few years later was diagnosed with tuberculosis and went to Italy seeking a cure When it became obvious that he would not recover he returned to Corfu where he died aged only thirty eight 2 Gallery edit nbsp Portrait of a Lady nbsp Portrait of Panagiotis Benakis nbsp Self portrait 1820 nbsp An Athenian Lady and Her Daughter nbsp Three Cittadini nbsp Three ZakynthiansReferences edit a b c d e Brief biography Paletaart a b c d Brief biography Archived 2013 12 26 at the Wayback Machine the National Gallery of Athens Further reading editAnastassia Koule ed The Chevalier Gerasimos Pitzamanos Painter and Architect 2 vols in Greek Historical amp Ethnological Society of Greece 2013 Listing Biblio comExternal links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gerasimos Pitzamanos An Allegory of the Septinsular Republic Archived 2014 03 08 at the Wayback Machine Art Corfu Works by Pitzamanos Pandektis Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gerasimos Pitsamanos amp oldid 1190223697, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
