The Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr Greek Sale realized €3.6M. Read the expert analysis on why collectors worldwide are embracing Greek modern art.

BY KAZEEM ADELEKE, ARTCENTRON

PARIS—The recent Greek art sale in Paris was hosted by Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr, in collaboration with its Athens-based partners, Art Expertise.  The sale was one of the most remarkable moments in the international market for Greek modern and contemporary art, with the total sales exceeding €3.6 million. Additionally, the sale achieved an impressive 86% sell-through rate. This performance underscored the global demand for Greece’s most influential artistic voices of the 20th century. Leading the auction were headline-making masterpieces. Overall, the auction result was a testament to the cultural richness, artistic innovation, and historic resonance embedded in Greek visual heritage.

Tsarouchis’ Monumental Masterpiece Leads the Auction

A Landmark Sale for “Policier militaire avec des feuilles de palmier et des drapeaux”

The auction’s undisputed star was Yiannis Tsarouchis’ monumental work, Policier militaire avec des feuilles de palmier et des drapeaux. This composition is both rare and powerful. It came from a private Athenian collection. The painting is one of the largest works by Tsarouchis ever to appear at auction. It achieved a striking €508,400. This result confidently surpassed expectations. His artistic philosophy was rooted in a lifelong study of ancient, Byzantine, and folk traditions. Ghika sought to distill the essence of Greek light and landscape. He achieved this style through geometric abstraction.

The painting embodies the artist’s distinctive fusion of Ancient Greek influences, Byzantine echoes, and modern theatricality, often incorporating subtle homoerotic undertones alongside a masterful balance of monumentality and intimacy. This confluence of ideas has long positioned Tsarouchis as one of the most influential figures in Greek modernism, and the painting’s exceptional provenance made it irresistible to collectors worldwide.

Yiannis Moralis’ Epithalamion Achieves Extraordinary Results

A Masterwork of Symbolism and Human Unity

The sale’s second major highlight was Yiannis Moralis’  Epithalamion. The acrylic on canvas sold for €381,400—far above its estimate. Created for his 1972 Athens exhibition, this painting represents Moralis at his expressive peak. Through the merging of the male and female forms into a unified, symbolic whole, Moralis draws on ancient nuptial traditions, transforming classical inspiration into contemporary visual poetry. Its elegant geometry, sophisticated palette, and transcendent harmony reaffirm Moralis’ standing as one of the architects of modern Greek visual identity.

Celebrating the Vision of Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika

Two Works Far Exceed Expectations

The Greek Sale also paid an important tribute to Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika, one of Greece’s most revered cubists. His artistic philosophy—rooted in a lifelong study of ancient, Byzantine, and folk traditions—sought to distill the essence of Greek light and landscape through geometric abstraction.

Two of his works achieved notable triumphs. Paysage d’Hydra sold for €330,600. This price soared to more than eight times its original estimate. Furthermore, Eddies II reached €152,800, more than doubling expectations. These results highlight the renewed global interest in Ghika’s sophisticated command of form, light, and rhythmic spatial structure. Ultimately, this style positioned him as a pioneer at the crossroads of Greek tradition and European modernism.

Other Significant Highlights from the 129-Lot Sale

The auction showcased a curated collection. This collection represented the full spectrum of Greek artistic brilliance. It included works from folk art masters, symbolist painters, expressionists, and avant-garde innovators. Several key results reflected the market’s stability and upward trajectory.

For instance, two lots both sold for €127,400. The first was Theofilos Hadjimichael’s La victoire de Grecs à Karpenissi et la mort de Markos Botsaris. This painting is a moving historical narrative infused with the artist’s signature folk character and patriotic spirit.  Erotokritos et Polydoros by Yiannis Tsarouchis was the second work.  The inspiration for this rare depiction was from Cretan Renaissance literature, showcasing his lyrical interpretation of myth and storytelling.

Further highlights demonstrated the diversity of styles. Georgios Bouzianis’s expressive portrait Sitzende Frau achieved €89,300, and Nikos Engonopoulos’s Hommage à Parthenis, reflecting his Surrealist vocabulary and mythic symbolism, sold for €82,950. Collectively, these works demonstrate the rich stylistic diversity and historical depth of Greek painting, affirming its growing prominence among international collectors.

The Enduring Strength of Greek Modernism

Terpsichore Angelopoulou, Director of Art Expertise in Athens, praised the exceptional performance of the sale. She specifically emphasized the significance of the top lots. She stated that Tsarouchis’ Policier militaire avec des feuilles de palmier et des drapeaux is one of the largest works by the artist to ever come to market. Furthermore, she noted its impeccable provenance. “It is a work as skillful as it is playful, and it is no wonder it captivated collectors,” she added. She also noted the remarkable achievements of Ghika. This recognition reaffirms the pivotal role these artists play in representing Greek art’s global narrative.

Why the Greek Sale Matters: A Growing International Market

The success of the sale demonstrates several key trends shaping the future of the Greek art market:

1. Rising Global Demand for Greek Modernism

Collectors worldwide are increasingly drawn to artists like Tsarouchis, Moralis, and Ghika for their unique fusion of classical heritage and modern innovation.

2. Provenance and Scale Drive Exceptional Results

Large-scale works with strong histories—like Tsarouchis’ leading lot—command premium attention and prices.

3. Renewed Appreciation for Greek Cultural Storytelling

From folk narratives to cubist landscapes, collectors value the distinctive cultural voice embedded in Greek art.

4. Strong Institutional and Private Support

Collaborative sales between major auction houses and local experts ensure high-quality curation and international visibility.

A Landmark Auction That Sets a New Standard

The latest edition of the Greek Sale in Paris stands as one of the most successful in recent memory. The auction successfully combined masterpieces of monumental significance with works of compelling cultural importance. As a result, the event reaffirmed the global strength and enduring relevance of modern and contemporary Greek art. The sale featured record-setting sales and remarkable bidding activity. Furthermore, it saw wide international participation. The event clearly highlights a market poised for continued growth. It also signals a renewed appreciation of Greece’s artistic legacy on the world stage.