The First Steps series defines the artistic career of Georgios Jakobides, a painter who bridged the gap between traditional academic standards and the evolving demands of the early twentieth century. Born in 1853 in Chidira, he maintained a dual identity spanning Greece and the Ottoman Empire, influencing the visual arts landscape through both his canvases and institutional leadership in Athens.
Formative Years and European Education
Jakobides began his formal education at the Evangelical School of Smyrna after moving there at age thirteen. His artistic training commenced in earnest at the Athens School of Fine Arts between 1870 and 1876, where he studied under Nikiphoros Lytras. In 1877, he moved to Germany on a scholarship to attend the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. His tenure in Bavaria lasted seventeen years, during which he refined his craft under Ludwig von Lofftz, Wilhelm Lindenschmidt, and Gabriel von Max, eventually establishing himself as a commercially successful practitioner of academic Realism.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Institutional Contributions
Upon returning to Greece in 1900 at the invitation of the government, Jakobides turned his focus toward national arts infrastructure. He organized the National Gallery of Greece and served as its inaugural curator. In 1904, he assumed the role of Director at the Athens School of Fine Arts, a position he held for twenty-five years. His influence extended to public currency; he provided designs for various Greek coins, including the 1 and 2 drachma pieces issued in 1910 and 1911, as well as the 50 lepta of 1921 and the 10 lepta of 1922.
Artistic Style and Professional Stance
Jakobides was a key representative of the Munich School, focusing primarily on genre scenes, mythological subjects, and portraiture. His reputation grew internationally, with awards earned at exhibitions in Berlin in 1891 and Paris in 1900. While he produced official portraits of figures such as Queen Sophia, his output was notably characterized by his depictions of children. Throughout his later career, he remained a staunch critic of contemporary movements like Impressionism and Expressionism, even while encouraging younger students to explore their personal creative directions.
Fast facts
- Born: 1853, Chidira
- Died: 1932, Athens
- Citizenship: Greece, Ottoman Empire
- Movement: Naturalism
- Notable Works: First Steps series
- Notable Membership: Academy of Athens
- Education: Athens School of Fine Arts, Academy of Fine Arts Munich
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of the First Steps series?
The First Steps series is categorized as his most notable work, representing the genre-based focus on childhood themes that defined his professional popularity.
How long was Jakobides associated with the Athens School of Fine Arts?
He attended the school as a student from 1870 to 1876 and later served as its director for 25 years starting in 1904.
Did Jakobides embrace the new art movements of his time?
No, he publicly opposed the emergence of Impressionism and Expressionism throughout his career.
Achievements
- Notable work: First Steps series
- Movement: Naturalism
