Papatheodorou-Valyraki
"Daphne and Apollo"
oil on canvas |
Greek mythology recalls that both Apollo and Leucippus loved Daphne, the mountain nymph. Disguising himself as a nymph to win her affection, Leucippus was discovered by the other nymphs and killed for his deception. In order to protect her from Apollo's continual pursuits, Daphne's father, a river god named Peneus, turned her into a laurel tree. As a declaration of his devotion, Apollo proclaimed: "Since you cannot be my wife, you shall assuredly be my tree. I will wear you for my crown. I will decorate you with my harp and quiver; and when the great Roman conquerors lead up the triumphal pomp to the Capitol, you shall be woven into wreaths for their brows. And, as eternal youth is mine, you shall always be green, and your leaf know no decay." The nymph, now a laurel tree, bowed its head in grateful acknowledgement. Henceforth all politicians, writers, poets, athletes, and artists would receive leaves from the tree in the form of championship wreaths.
Papatheodorou-Valyraki
"La Sciatore "
giclee on canvas |
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Mina Papatheodorou-Valyraki: Born on 17 October 1958 in Athens, Greece, Mina Papatheodorou-Valyraki's parents encouraged her to pusue her dreams. She began drawing and painting at an early age. In 1975, she entered the Superior School of Fine Arts of Athens University. Graduating with distinction in 1980, she continued her studies in the History of Art the following year at the University of Florence in Italy.
In 2002, Mina Papatheodorou-Valyraki became the second woman to receive the Academy's Sport Artist of the Year. That same year, her work "La Sciatore" (see above) was chosen for the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Although a citizen of the world, she has lived in Athens since 1984. More on Paptheodorou-Valyraki |
