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Lewis, David : Byzantine Butterflies :The Folk Paintings Of Peter And Helen Contis

Overlook Press, Woodstock NY, 1996

ISBN 0879516305

In 1910, Peter Contis had arrived in Pittsburgh as a penniless Greek immigrant. He began as a dishwasher, but within a year had opened his first restaurant. He put down roots in the new culture yet still preserved vitally important elements of the old. In this way, when eventually he retired and took up brushes, he was able to find a fresh vision of his city that drew as much on acute remembrance of his homeland as on familiarity with the urban landscape amid which he had served generations of diners and brought up his family. Soon after his death, Peter's wife Helen came across one of his paintings, unfinished. Spurred on by a granddaughter, Helen picked up brushes and proceeded to paint other pictures too. This remarkable story is eloquently told by an author who was able to visit the villages in the Peloponnese and to discover many of the springs of the artists' imagination. His narrative is accompanied by 40 color plates and 80 black and white illustrations. The paintings of the two artists are exhibited at The Carnegie Museum of Art to coincide with the publication of this book. It includes details of his family and backgound in the Peloponnese and about Greek immigrants in Pittsburgh, with photographs of the places and people.160p. illus. NOTE: Large Size [ 250x250 mm] Front cover creased, else fine. Illustr.: Peter And Helen Contis. Book. Book Condition: Near Fine. Binding: Soft cover

1st US Ed..

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