THE PREVIEW of the Bonhams Greek Sale, opened to the public in Athens on November 3, and was met with enthusiasm and praise. The Greek Sale, which is set to take place in Paris, November 19, has some real artistic gems, and comes with a special emphasis on the works of Tsarouchis. The 150 works are on view in Athens, at Amalias 36, November 3-5, 11am-8pm. Some selected highlights will be available to view at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr, 6 avenue Hoche, from November 15 to 18.  

From a private Athenian collection, Policier militaire avec des feuilles de palmier et des drapeaux (Military policeman with palm leaves and flags) by Yiannis Tsarouchis (1910-1989), dated 1949, leads Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr Greek Sale in Paris on Wednesday 19 November. This triumphant example of Tsarouchis’ art is estimated at €400,000-600,000. “Most of my Military Policemen were realized between 1945 and 1960. Policier militaire avec des feuilles de palmier et des drapeaux is one of the first ones I made. The figure is intentionally rendered in a tight space.” wrote Yiannis Tsarouchis.

In 1967, because of political developments in Greece, the artist went back to Paris and returned home once and for all in 1980. Two years later he launched the Tsarouchis Foundation, based at the artist’s house in Maroussi and containing both his works and those of other artists. One of the most important representatives of the Thirties Generation, the artist embodied in his work the ideal of Greekness and created a unique personal style, depicting landscapes, still lives, nudes and allegorical scenes.  

In Policier militaire avec des feuilles de palmier et des drapeaux, Tsarouchis captures with compelling realism a virile, rough, working-class officer whose straightforward gaze and rugged features embody clarity, truth and the humane dignity of Modern Greece. The artist transforms everyday subjects into symbols of humanity and national identity, drawing on the rich Hellenic artistic tradition. Monumental, yet intimate, the painting thus reflects his unique blend of ancient and modern. 

Another highlight of the sale is Epithalamion (Estimate: €200,000 – 300,000), a captivating acrylic on canvasby Yiannis Moralis (1916 – 2009). Shown in his 1972 Athens exhibition, the painting shows the artist’s extraordinary aptitude to transform the human figure into a monumental and timeless form. By sacrificing detail, depth, and tonal gradations, Moralis focused on the structural elements of the composition. Inspired by antiquity’s nuptial songs, the intertwined figures of man and woman merge into a single and symbolic whole. Ephitalamion balances Greek tradition and modern sensibility, expressing what is permanent and universal. 

The Greek Sale is a collaborative sale put together by Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr in Paris and its associates in Athens, Art Expertise. Director of Art Expertise in Athens, Terpsichore Angelopoulou, commented: “We are delighted to return to Paris this fall with a new sale in collaboration with Bonhams Paris, presenting a remarkable selection of works by Moralis, Tsarouchis, Hadjikyriakos-Ghika and Parthenis. These artists stand among the best ambassadors of Greek modern and contemporary painting. The sale also offers a diverse range of artworks with more affordable priced pieces for all kinds of art enthusiasts.”  

The 150-lot sale presents some more affordable works on paper or on canvas by leading figures of Greek modernism and contemporary art, including Yiannis Tsarouchis, Takis Panayiotis Vassilakis, Alecos Fassianos, Nikos Engonopoulos, Yiannis Moralis, Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika, Yiannis Spyropoulos, Dimitris Mytaras, Panayiotis Tetsis, among which are featured: 

Yiannis Tsarouchis (1910 – 1989), Paysage avec deux marins. Estimate: €20,000 – 30,000.  

Alecos Fassianos (1935 – 2022), Le fumeur de Kea. Estimate: €4,000 – 6,000. 

Yiannis Moralis (1916-2009), Ange. Estimate: €7,000 – 10,000 

Theodore Jacques Ralli (1852 – 1909), Circassienne au bain. Estimate: €25,000 – 35,000. 

Nikolaos Gysis (1842 – 1901), Nike. Estimate: €18,000 – 20,000. 

Dimitris Mytaras (1934 – 2017), Motocyclette. Estimate: 20,000 – 30,000. 

Other highlights of the sale include:  

Constantinos Parthenis (1878-1967). Les baigneuses. Estimate: €150,000 – 200,000. 

Theofilos Hadjimichael (1871-1934), La victoire de Grecs à Karpenissi et la mort de Markos Botsaris. Estimate: €120,000 – 180,000. 

Yiannis Tsarouchis (1910-1989) Erotokritos et Polydoros. Estimate: €100,000 – 150,000. 

Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika (1906-1994) Eddies II. Estimate: €60,000 – 80,000. 

Nikos Engonopoulos (1907-1985) Hommage à Parthenis. Estimate: €50,000 – 70,000. 

Georgios Bouzianis (1885-1959) Sitzende frau. Estimate: €50,000 – 70,000.

The entire sale will be on preview in Athens at Amalias 36, Amalias Ave. 10558 from 3 to 5 November 2025 and some selected highlights will be available to view at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr, 6 avenue Hoche, from 15 to 18 November.  

Link to catalogue: https://www.bonhams.com/auction/30792/greek-sale/