Βολισσός

000885 Nikos Yialouris, Volissos, 1981, linoleum cut, 59.5 × 69.5 cm

Volissos is the largest village of northwestern Chios and a place with important history (Homer is said to have lived there). Near the village, in a naturally fortified position and with an unobstructed view of the area, the homonymous castle has been built. This is, in fact, the main theme of the engraving. The composition opens on the first level, bottom right, with a road. In a humorous rather than realistic mood, the engraver does not fail to depict the NO PARKING sign. The middle zone of the picture is occupied by the village: houses spread amphitheatrically on the hill. However, at the higher points, the buildings are scarce among the trees. The medieval castle, painted black, dominates the hilltop. The linoleum cut follows the familiar style of Yialouris: the strict but balanced contrast of white and black, the subordination of the line to the plane, the expressionistic schematization combined with cubist influences, all these elements distinguish the charming picture.