Coastal landscape, c. 1940-1945
After his training at the Athens School of Fine Arts, Nikolaos Othonaios, in 1906, continued his studies in Munich, and followed, for the depiction of landscape, the new expressionist trends which had made their appearance there. Bright colours, applied on to organised surfaces with thick brush-strokes, replete with materiality, and abstract stylisations characterise his works. He played an active part in the renewal of artistic expression in Greece, and was a founder member of the 'Techni' group.
Coastal Landscape must have been painted on Skopelos, where the artist lived in seclusion in the last years of his life. The scene is depicted by free design and with colours which are stressed by the reflections of the morning sun. Outstanding focuses of composition - tall and low trees, a bell-tower, a cottage, the sea, clouds - produce a pleasing impression, at the same time providing a striking dynamic of colour contrast.