Georgios Bonanos (Kefalonia 1863-Athens 1940), one of the most important Greek sculptors, after his studies in Athens and in Rome, had established his workshop in Athens. His works are located in many cities in Greece, but also in Cyprus,...
moreGeorgios Bonanos (Kefalonia 1863-Athens 1940), one of the most important Greek sculptors, after his studies in Athens and in Rome, had established his workshop in Athens. His works are located in many cities in Greece, but also in Cyprus, Istanbul, Egypt and Romania. This paper presents a work of him, the bust of Iulian Vrabiescu in the Bellu Cemetery in Bucharest, the only surviving work of Bonanos in Romania, according to our researches. The bust of Iulian Vrabiescu (died 6.7.1891), rendered in realistic style, is signed in the back by the sculptor [Γ. ΜΠΟΝΑΝΟΣ/ΕΠΟΙΕΙ (G. Bonanos made)]. Based on the year of Iulian Vrabiescu's death, the bust must have been made after 1891. The deceased was a rich landowner and senator, representative of the prefecture of Ialomitsa. His daughter Olga, from his first marriage, was married to the Romanian politician Anastase Stolojan. He was also related to the politician Iulian C. Vrabiescu from Craiova (1862-1940). The bust is erected on a stele signed by the marble sculptor Nicolaos Halepas (1855 - 1932), [N. HALEPAS/ FAC. / BUCURESTI (N. Halepas Made Bucharest)], younger brother of the most renowned Greek sculptor, Yannoulis Halepas. In the same tomb are buried, according to the inscriptions: Alexandrina I. Vrabiescu (died 8.2.1928), Iulian’s second wife, born Gh. Papadopol - apparently of Greek descent; their son Romulus Vrabiescu, artist- professor (1884-1951), acclaimed tenor and professor at the Academy of Music in Bucharest, his wife Livia Vrabiescu, born Vratianu (1895 - 1982), a famous soprano, also a professor at the Academy of Music; Teodor Vrabiescu, engineer (1907- 1996) and Elvira Vrabiescu, doctor of chemistry (1914-2000). The commission of the bust of Iulian Vrabiescu, a prominent member of Romanian society, to Georgios Bonanos is indicative of the fame he enjoyed.This work should be placed in the context of the spread of Greek sculpture in the second half of the 19th century - early 20th century in the Balkans, southern Russia, Asia Minor and the Middle East.
