On this day in 1965, Fotis Kontoglou "leaves".translated

Fifty-nine years have passed today since the day Fotis Kontoglou fell asleep. It was July 13, 1965 when the great writer, painter and iconographer passed into eternity.   He was born in Aivali (the ancient Kydonias) on November 8, 1895 and was the son of Nikolaos Apostolellis and Despina Kontoglou. He lost his father while still a child and was raised by his mother and his uncle, the hieromonk Stefanos Kontoglou. That is why when he grew up he adopted his mother's family surname. His writing and visual talent blossomed early. Being a high school student, he published the magazine "Melissa" with texts by himself and his classmates, which he illustrated himself.

In 1913 he left his hometown and went to Athens to study at the School of Fine Arts, although for a moment he thought of becoming a sailor. The atmosphere at the School did not lift him up, since among his professors the academic style of Munich prevailed, while he himself was the bearer of another perception, having the Asia Minor folk culture firmly rooted in him. In 1914 he left the School and left for Europe. After a short stay in Madrid, he settled in Paris.…