Αν πεθάνης πριν πεθάνης δεν θα πεθάνης όταν θα πεθάνης

Creator:

Rheinfelder, Ioanna (b. 1926- )

Date:

[s.d.]

Medium:

Woodcut

Places:

Greece

Inscriptions:

Printed in upper left corner recto: Αν πεθάνης πριν πεθάνης δεν θα πεθάνης όταν θα πεθάνης [If you die before you die you will not die when you will die]

Description:

Born in Bucharest, Romania but having moved to Munich in 1970, graphic designer Ioanna Rheinfelder, did woodblock work, wall painting, musical and theatrical activities. The artist spent some time in Cyprus pre-1974 and was a friend with the Cypriot painter Adamantios Diamantis. She was an ethnographer intrigued by the Cypriot culture and life and tried to adapt her work and her titles to reflect Cyprus. The woodprint depicts a Greek Orthodox priest offering admonition to a little girl in front of a church. The inscription in the background is to be found in Karyes, the capital of Mount Athos, a self governing monastic republic in northern Greece. The inscription reads ‘If you die before you die, you will not die when you die’. This rather bizarre statement actually encapsulates the Orthodox monastic worldview. The message behind the inscription is quite extraordinary: One needs to die for the world, that is, renounce lay life before his biological death so that he does not die spiritually upon death.

Dimensions:

30 x 22 cm

Signature(s):

Mark signature

Acquisition Note:

Donated by the artist

Identifier:

PNT-00786

Provenance:

The artist

Classification:

Prints

Object Type:

Woodcut

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 [email protected]

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