Archaic
Artist
Michael Axelos
(1877 - 1965 )
Date1926
MediumSanguine on paper
Dimensions34.7 x 24.7 cm
Collection NoΑΞ282
DescriptionAntiquity has also been a
source of inspiration and a prototype for the artists who worked as banknote
and coin designers at the Bank of Greece. Michael Axelos, the first banknote
artist in Greece, drew on classical aesthetics and themes from Greek antiquity
for his sketches and designs for banknote series. Infusing Greek banknote
designs for the first time with an artistic quality, Axelos included in his
thematic repertoire images from ancient Greek sculpture and architecture of the
5th and 4th centuries BC. These quests are exemplified in pencil drawings from
sculpture, such as the "Archaic", and pastels or watercolour sketches for
banknotes featuring "Flying Nike".