The much-admired painting exhibition “Konstantinos Volanakis - Waterline” will conclude on November 12, 2024, after an extended run due to its overwhelming popularity. Hosted in the historic Basilica of Saint Mark in Heraklion, this exhibition presents exceptional oil paintings from Greece’s acclaimed maritime painter, Konstantinos Volanakis, thanks to a loan from the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation in Piraeus.

Opening on July 19, 2024, this exhibition has already drawn over 83,000 visitors. Open from Monday to Friday (9:00-14:00 and 17:00-21:00) and Saturdays (9:00-14:00), entry is free to the public. Here, visitors can experience Volanakis' art up close, with his exquisite depictions of the sea inviting viewers to embark on a journey through Greek maritime history. His works showcase the powerful bond between humankind and the sea—reflecting his own life-long relationship with the waters that inspired him.

This exhibition is particularly meaningful for Heraklion, as it brings Volanakis’ work back to his birthplace, a fitting homage to an artist whose maritime scenes are filled with vivid realism and personal sentiment.

Discover More: Digital Access and Interactive Features

For those who wish to explore more, the Heraklion Municipal Gallery offers a digital catalog of the exhibition, which can be viewed online in Greek and English at heraklionartgallery.gr. This richly illustrated catalog features detailed descriptions of each artwork and insightful commentary by art historians Dr. Theodoros Koutsogiannis and Maria Migadi, illuminating Volanakis’ life and creative journey.

In a modern touch, QR codes on the exhibition’s artwork labels link visitors to an online gallery provided by the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation. There, they can view each painting with comprehensive descriptions and engage with the exhibition on a digital level.

The exhibition also features two tactile paintings by Volanakis, specially designed with Braille captions. Using advanced digital technology from the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation’s pioneering Digital Art Hall, these tactile displays offer an inclusive experience, allowing visitors with visual impairments to connect with Volanakis' art in a multi-sensory way.

Konstantinos Volanakis was born in Heraklion on March 17, 1837. His family later moved to Syros, and he eventually found himself in Trieste, working in trade. There, his boss discovered his remarkable sketches of ships along the city’s docks and encouraged him to pursue art.

In 1864, Volanakis went to Munich to study painting, and his career blossomed in Germany, where he opened his own studio and participated in major exhibitions. He returned to Greece in 1883 and settled in Piraeus, where he accepted a teaching post at the School of Fine Arts in Athens.

Despite his success abroad, Volanakis struggled to find financial stability in Greece’s limited art market and eventually limited his work to smaller harbor and seascape compositions. Disillusioned with the artist’s life in Greece, he passed away in 1907, accompanied by only a handful of mourners—a testament to his humble and deeply personal life journey.