Νίκος Νικολάου (1909 - 1986)

Nikos Nikolaou was a major figure in Greek art during the 20th century.

In 1929 Nikolaou is admitted into the Athens School of Fine Arts, where he studied under Konstantinos Parthenis and Umbertos Argyros.

In 1932, he has his first exhibition when he participates in the group exhibition of the Athens School of Fine Arts students and in 1935 he becomes a member of the group "Free Artists" (Ελεύθεροι Καλλιτέχναι) and participates in the Parnassos exhibition. That same year, Nikolaou comes to the defense of a new artist, Constantine Andreou, whose artwork was so lifelike he was accused of cheating. This was the start of a lifelong friendship between the two.

In 1937, Nikolaou follows Yiannis Moralis to Italy and in 1939 he receives a scholarship to study in Paris.

In 1949 he formed, with other artists including Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghikas, Yannis Tsarouchis, Yiannis Moralis, Nikos Engonopoulos and Panayiotis Tetsis, the "Armos" art group. This group had its first exhibition in 1950 in Athens' Zappeion.

In 1960 he moves to Aegina and his house becomes a meeting place for artists and other luminaries. A few years later, he manages to convince his long-time friend and colleague Andreou to buy a house on the island.