Γοργόνα

000201 Nikos Yialouris, Mermaid, 1977, acrylic on wood, 74 × 82 cm

The folk art-inspired work of Nikos Yialouris forms the second, yet equally important, category of his oeuvre. This body of work found its most successful expression in large-scale, monumental commissions such as the decoration of hotels, mansions, and ships. The present artwork, featuring the mythical figure of the Mermaid, belongs to this category. The artist follows folk tradition: he paints the mythical hybrid creature (half-woman, half-fish) as the sister of Alexander the Great; according to legend, she drank the water of immortality and now wanders the seas asking sailors whether her brother still lives. This question is inscribed on an open scroll at the bottom of the scene, written in Yialouris's distinctive script. If the sailors answered positively, the Mermaid, overjoyed, would let them continue their voyage. If they answered negatively, she would become enraged and sink the unfortunate ship. The painter places the monster’s figure within a decorative frame that mimics woodcarving. The Mermaid holds a trident in one hand and a sailing ship in the other, while the background behind her is painted in the deep blue of the sea. Outside the decorative frame, the surrounding space is painted grey, and at the bottom, a bouquet of flowers adorns the open scroll. The composition is likely a preliminary study (maquette) intended for a monumental decorative project.