Municipal Gallery of Corfu
The Municipal Art Gallery of Corfu first opened its doors in 1978 in the Dalietos Bequest building. Since 1991, when it was transformed into a public legal entity, the Gallery has actively worked to promote its collection and make it more widely known to the public.
Its collection is largely based on important private donations, which have significantly enriched its holdings. Among the most notable contributions are the Samartzis Collection (42 works), the Aglaia Pappa Collection (23 works), the Filippos Makotsis Collection (12 works), and a smaller but valuable donation by Nikolaos Ventouras (2 works). These donations have played a key role in shaping the identity and scope of the Gallery.
The core of the collection consists of works by 19th-century Corfiot painters, a period during which the Heptanese School of painting reached its artistic peak. Prominent artists represented include Charalambos Pachis, Pavlos Prossalendis the Younger, Angelos Giallinas, Vikentios Bokatsiambis, Spyridon Skarvelis, Leonidas Koegvinas, and Georgios Samartzis. Their works reflect the artistic evolution of Corfu and the wider Ionian Islands during a time of strong cultural development.
Among the most famous works in the Gallery are The Assassination of Kapodistrias by Charalambos Pachis, Markas and The Flock by Angelos Giallinas, The Sphinx by Spyridon Skarvelis, The Fighter of 1821 by Spyridon Prossalendis, The Arab Musician by Pavlos Prossalendis, and The Piano Tuner by Georgios Samartzis. These works illustrate key themes of 19th-century Greek art, including historical events, everyday life, and portraiture.
The artistic trends represented in the collection reflect both academic influences and strong connections with Italian painting traditions. Toward the end of the 19th century, however, many Corfiot artists began to move toward Impressionist influences, marking a shift in style and introducing a more modern artistic approach.
Today, the Municipal Art Gallery of Corfu stands as an important cultural institution, preserving and showcasing the artistic heritage of the island while highlighting the development of modern Greek art.
