Yiannis Tsarouchis

Yannis Tsarouchis (1910–1989) was one of the most significant Greek painters and set designers of the 20th century. Born in Piraeus, he studied at the Athens School of Fine Arts and was deeply influenced by Byzantine art and Greek folk traditions. In 1935, he traveled to Istanbul, Smyrna, and Paris, where he encountered Renaissance painting, Impressionism, and met artists like Matisse, Laurens, and Giacometti. He was a founding member of the “Armos” art group and participated in major international exhibitions, including the Venice Biennale in 1958. From 1928, he was actively involved in set design, collaborating with prominent theaters in Greece and abroad, such as the National Theatre, the Greek National Opera, and London’s Covent Garden.