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Andreas
Ioannou,a historian of Modern Greek Art and the
Prefect of the Dodecanese in1948, was responsible for the
founding of the Municipal Gallery of Rhodes. At a time
when the major collections of modern art
in Greece were only few, Andreas Ioannou had the idea of
establishing the Gallery. He worked hard to obtain its
firs acquisitions and he programmed its activities. Fifty
years ago, even the national Gallery of Athens restricted
its interest to 19th century art, while
other collections, which are well known today, did not
even exist. The aim of the Gallery of Rhodes was the
systematic acquisition of works by every generation and
every artist of significance. It is impressively close to
that goal now, especially after certain purchases of
works exhibited during the last few years. The necessity
for a Companion to the works contained in the Gallery
became apparent, also because the Gallery is visited not
only by the local inhabitants of Rhodes but also by the
many visitors to the island who come from other parts of
Greece and abroad. Besides this, a catalogue of existing
works is most useful for the many scholars of Modern
Greek painting, together with historians and critics, who
often come up against difficulties. |
