About the project
Introduction
"Nikos Engonopoulos (1907-1985) was an emblematic figure of Greek art and literature of the 20th century. As a painter and poet, Engonopoulos has gained a unique place in the history of Greek letters and arts, combining surrealism with Greek tradition in an innovative way.
Today, his valuable archive, an inexhaustible source of information about his life and work, is a national asset. The Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.) supports the collaboration between Panteion University, the Athens School of Fine Arts (ASFA) and the University of West Attica (UWA) for the digitization, documentation and promotion of this priceless treasure."
Project goals and objectives
The main objectives of the project are:
The systematic digitization, documentation and publicization of the archive of Nikos Engonopoulos.
The creation of an open and accessible digital repository, hosting the archive in the Library of the Athens School of Fine Arts.
To highlight new and valuable aspects of the work of Nikos Engonopoulos, his personality, as well as his influence and importance in the 20th century."
Key highlights
Over 10,000 digitized documents, including manuscripts, photographs, letters and drawings.
Possible publication of unpublished poetic and visual works by Nikos Engonopoulos, offering a new look at the artist's creativity.
Organization of an international conference dedicated to the work and legacy of Nikos Engonopoulos [November 2025]."
Nikos Engonopoulos: his life and work
Nikos Engonopoulos (1907-1985) was a Greek painter and poet, one of the main representatives of surrealism in Greece. He was born in Athens and studied painting at the School of Fine Arts, while at the same time attending classes in the workshop of Fotis Kontoglou.
Life:
Studies and influences:
He studied painting in Athens and was influenced by Konstantinos Parthenis and Fotis Kontoglou.
War: He took part in the Second World War and fought on the Albanian Front.
Post-war period:
After the war, he worked as an assistant at the Chair of Decorative and Free Design at the National Technical University of Athens, from 1945 to 1956.
Academic career:
He taught as a professor at the National Technical University of Athens from 1967 to 1973.
Death: He died in Athens on October 31, 1985.
Work:
Poetry:
Engonopoulos became known for his poetry collection "Don't Talk to the Driver" (1938), which caused strong reactions. His poetics culminated in the play "Bolívar" (1944). He was awarded the State Poetry Prize for the collections "En anthiro \'Ellini logo" (1958) and "In the valley with the roses" (1979).
Painting:
Engonopoulos' painting is known for its surrealist character, with strong elements of Greek tradition and architecture. His works include paintings, set designs, and hagiographies, such as those for the Church of St. Spyridon in New York.
Music:
His poems were set to music by Manos Hatzidakis, Argyris Kounadis and Nikos Mamangakis.
Scope of the archive
The Nikos Engonopoulos Archive is a valuable source of information about the life and work of the great Greek artist. It includes a wide range of material, covering almost every aspect of his creative activity and personal life. Specifically, the file includes:
Texts: Manuscripts of poems, essays, translations, notes, lectures, plays, and critical texts.
Visual Arts: Photographs of paintings, drawings, drafts, sketches, and other visual works of the artist.
Correspondence: Letters to and from Engonopoulos, to friends, collaborators, publishers, and other personalities.
Documents: Contracts, press clippings, photographs, notes, and unpublished texts.
Library: Printed books and other material from his personal library.
Photos: Photos of Engonopoulos, his family, friends, and associates, as well as photos from exhibitions and other events.
Audiovisual material: Audio and video recordings of interviews, speeches, and other events.
The variety of material in the archive allows researchers to explore in depth the creative process of Engonopoulos, his influences, his relationships with other artists and intellectuals, as well as the historical and cultural period in which he lived and created.
History and Significance of the Nikos Engonopoulos Archive
The archive of Nikos Engonopoulos is an invaluable asset for Greek cultural heritage, offering a unique insight into the life and work of one of the most important artists of the 20th century. The archive began to be systematically created by Engonopoulos himself, who preserved with special care the manuscripts, drawings, photographs and all kinds of material related to his creative career and personal life.
After Engonopoulos' death in 1985, his wife Lena Engonopoulou and his daughter Errietti undertook the care and enrichment of the archive, adding new material concerning publications, exhibitions and tributes to the artist. The donation of the archive to the Athens School of Fine Arts (ASFA) by the Engonopoulos family in 2022 is a generous act that ensures the preservation and accessibility of this valuable material for future generations.
Importance
The Archive is an invaluable source of information: It provides unique information about Engonopoulos' creative process, his influences, his relationships with other artists and intellectuals, as well as the historical and cultural period in which he lived and created.
Promotion of unpublished material: It includes unpublished works, texts, drawings and photographs, which shed new light on the personality and work of Engonopoulos.
Preservation of memory: It contributes to the preservation of the memory of an important chapter for Greek culture and to the promotion of Engonopoulos' contribution to art and literature.
Promoting research: It is a valuable resource for researchers, scholars and students interested in Engonopoulos, surrealism, Greek literature and art of the 20th century.
The project "Nikos Engonopoulos Archive: digitization, documentation and publication" aims to make this important archive accessible to a wider audience, contributing to the promotion of research and the dissemination of knowledge about the life and work of Nikos Engonopoulos.
