Leon kalogeropoulos was the son of Nicos Kalogeropoulos, the distinguished Greek marine artist. Leon followed in his father’s footsteps and was soon recognised as the top Greek marine artist of the last quarter of the twentieth century. The younger Leon learned his trade at his father’s studio and then continued his studies and art education in Paris where he spent his early adulthood. He then travelled to Africa and especially Senegal where he married a Senegalese beauty.

The restoration of democracy in Greece in 1974 saw Leon Kalogeropoulos return to his birthplace, Athens, where he devoted himself to painting marine works of art. His early paintings of the years 1974-1990 are a
hymn to blue seas in very soft hues with usually fishing boats timidly appearing in the distance.

Kalogeropoulos gradually replaced the light blues and aqua marine colours with deeper Mediterranean blues. He depicted more robust merchant ships and fishing boats in atmospheric conditions that conveyed the drama and reality of life experienced on ships and seas around Athens. For these reasons this later work of the period 1990 - 2002 is considered more accomplished, more desirable and more expressive of the artist than that of his earlier period.

Leon’s work can be found in major Greek collections and museums including the Maritime Museum in Piraeus, the Greek Pinakotheke in Athens, and the Vorres Museum in Peania, Attica.

Bibliography: MARINE ART LEON KALOGEROPOULOS. THE LAST MARINE ARTIST OF 20TH CENTURY GREECE A GREEKS IN ART EXHIBITION