On this Day: First great female Greek artist Eleni Boukoura-Altamoura, dies.

·

Eleni Boukoura-Altamoura was Greece’s first great female artist, whose work is considered extremely influential especially as she was the first woman to receive a formal art education at a time when this was off limits for women. 

To mark the occasion of her death on this day in 1900, we take a look back at her incredible life. 

Early and Personal Life: 

Eleni was born on the island of Spetses in 1821 to Ioannis and Maria Boukouris. Her father was an Arvanite ship-owner who always had an interest in the arts, he was well known for opening one of the first theatres in Athens. 

The Boukouris family moved to Athens in 1836, a few years after it had become the official capital of the newly founded state, and there Ioannis was able to send his daughters to the Hill School, which was erected following the aftermath of the revolution. 

Eleni learned Italian, English and Ancient Greek and showed artistic promise from a very young age. She would make drawings of her school friends who would take turns posing for her between classes.

“Despair,” by Eleni Boukoura-Altamoura. 

Career and Life in Italy:

Art schools did not accept women at the time, but Eleni was particularly determined and presented herself as a man under the name Chrysinis Boukouras. 

During her studies, she fell in love with Francesco Saverio Altamura, an Italian painter who was of Greek origin from his mother’s side. The couple would have two children out of wedlock together, Sofia in 1851 and Ioannis in 1852. 

She converted to Catholicism so that they could get married and in 1853, they wed. 

In 1856, they had their third child together, Alessandro. 

Her husband grew tired of Eleni’s nostalgia for her home country and 1856, he would abandon her for the English painter, Jane Benham Hay. They left for Paris taking with them the youngest child, Alessandro. 

Left: Eleni Boukoura-Altamura, Self-portrait in monk’s attire; Right: Photograph of the Eleni posing as a man

Later life and Death: 

Eleni’s later life was full of tragedy with the loss of both her children to tuberculosis. 

Her daughter Sofia was diagnosed with the disease in 1872 and died at the age of 18, leaving her mother inconsolable. 

Her Son, Ioannis returned to Greece In 1876 and suffered from tuberculosis, ultimately passing away in 1878 in Spetses. 

The loss of her children is believed to be the cause of her heartbreak and reason for her secluded life in Spetses until her death in 1900. 

Very few of her works survive today, only a few paintings, drawings and busts are found mainly in private collections of her relatives’ descendants. 

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Valentine’s Day, Greek Style: Two couples reflect on love, family and tradition

This year, The Greek Herald decided to speak with two Greek Australian couples from across the nation to ask them how they met.

‘It’s Story Time’ with Sophia Amarandos: A mini dating series on finding love

Sophia Amarandos is on her very own Bridget Jones-esque quest to find love, no matter how many glasses of wine and awkward dinners it takes.

Macquarie University leads the way in Greek Language Certificate awards ceremony

Over 200 people attended the award ceremony of the Certificates of Attainment in Greek Language 2024 that took place at Macquarie University.

Taste of the Aegean: Meet the Greek foodies bringing flavour to Antipodes 2025

This year’s Antipodes Festival is celebrating Greek culture and food with 'Taste of the Aegean,' proudly supported by The Greek Herald.

Inner West Hawks FC kick off 2025 season with memorable launch event

The Inner West Hawks FC officially launched their 2025 season with a vibrant celebration at Club Five Dock RSL on Wednesday, February 12.

You May Also Like

Greek and Turkish Defence Ministers meet in Brussels to discuss reducing tensions

Greek Defence Minister, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, and his Turkish counterpart, Hulusi Akar, met at the NATO Defence Ministers meeting.

Helen Kapalos on her Greek heritage and ‘undignified’ sacking from Channel 10

Journalist and former TV presenter, Helen Kapalos details how she's proud of her Greek heritage and surname.

Insight or Perspective: “Kids who grow up bilingual turn to be smarter”

By Eleni Elefterias New parents of pre-school aged children sometimes have the fear that their child will remain behind in English if they persevere with...