THEOTOKOPOULOS AND THE “PAPER ICONS” OF MT. ATHOS

A fortunate and rare juxtaposition is being presented in Casa Bianca: at the centre is the unique image of “The Assumption of the Virgin” by Domenikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco), which is kept in the Spiritual Tabernacle of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin in Ermoupolis, on the island of Syros, framed by the “Paper Icons” of the 18th - 19th century from the Gallery of the Holy Monastery of Simonos Petra on Mount Athos.

These engravings were printed on Mount Athos, depicting views of monasteries and representations of icons and relics, and were brought by pilgrims as devotional mementos.

Refugee pilgrims from Psara brought El Greco’s painting, which is of immense national and religious value, when they left the devastated island of Psara and settled in Ermoupolis, where they built the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, to which they dedicated the early work of Domenikos Theotokopoulos.

EXHIBITION DURATION    4 October – 15 November
OPENING                        9 October, time: 20:00
OPEN HOURS                  Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00-18:00, Mondays: closed