The Virgin Mary and the Divine Son

By the Zakynthian Nikolaos Kantounis (1768 - 1834) Mixed media on cardboard 43 x 34 cm An oval painting of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus“Jesus” one of the most ever His Son of Ioannis Kantounis, doctor, poet and writer, he was studying close to Ioannis Korais and, possibly, Nikolaos Koutouzis, who, according to tradition, had been deprived of envy by his laboratory. However, he declared himself self-taught, as can be seen in the epigram of his self-portrait (National Gallery). The influence of Koutouzis is evident both in his work and in his private life, since, following his example, he was ordained in 1788 a priest at the church of Evangelistria in Zakynthos. Later, as a member of the Friendly Society, he worked for the Revolution and from May to October 1821 he was exiled to the island of Kyra near Kefallonia, where he also hosted the “Last Supper.” His work includes religious compositions and portraits. In the religious part are illustrations in the temples of the Holy Panties, the Holy Apostles, the Virgin of Tsourofli, St. Paraskevi, the Virgin and the Chrysopoli in Zakynthos, which are not preserved. In the Zakynthos Museum are preserved compositions from the church of Picridiotissa, Saint Anargyros, St. George of Cyprus, Episcopiani, St. Andrew of Avouri, St. Anthony of Andritsi Mr. No., while compositions are preserved on the spot at the Katholikon of the Platytera Monastery in Corfu and at the church of Agios Aikaterini in Sinai in Zakynthos. The work of Koutouzis and the works of Italian and Flemish people, which were widely circulated in engravings at the time in Epianisa, was designed to produce these compositions. Koutouzis was also influenced in his portraits, together they are the founders of secular painting and especially portrait. http://www.nationalgallery.gr/site/content.phpsel = 386