Mount Olympus in the island of Cyprus
Creator:
Rilley, C. A
Ημερομηνία:
1882
Medium:
Inscriptions:
Inscribed: Mount Olympus in the island of Cyprus by C. A. Rilley 1882; Also in corner initials F/W
Description:
This is a totally imaginary representation of Mount Olympus on the Troodos mountain range. A group of Africans posing as Cypriots appear at the front left corner of the painting in tribal attire and posture. The overtones of classical Greek mythology attached to Olympus are perverted in a setting which abounds in African continental scenery and flora. Immediately after the acquisition of the island by the British, a number of paintings appeared which portray Cypriots and their native country as the back of beyond. An extreme manifestation of this attitude is to be found in this painting where the artist’s ignorance expresses itself in the representation of Cypriots as Africans and of Cyprus as part of the African continent.
Dimensions:
30 x 23 cm
Signature(s):
Indistinctly with initials
Subject:
Identifier:
PNT-00435
Classification:
Collection:
Object Type:
Rights Holder:
© Costas and Rita Severis Foundation
Rights Statement:
The Costas and Rita Severis Foundation holds or manages the copyright(s) of this item and its digital reproduction. If you need information about using this item, please send an email to research@severis.org
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