Funerary stele with a bust. Sculptors: Georgios & Lazaros Fytalis
The tomb consists of an epitaph and a tall funerary stele with the bust of Andreas Metaxas. The stele rests on a large pedestal and is decorated with embossed laurel ribbon at the top. The pedestal is embossed with flags and coat of arms, with a crown and the scene of a type of Byzantine fountain with a bird (dove) holding an olive branch in its beak. Below the coat of arms is an ornament with a crowned double-headed eagle, while at the back of the stele there is a there is another relief, a composition of weapons and war banners.
The bust is rendered with realistic facial features but also classic elements, such as the garment. The work was created in 1861. On the right side of the column there is the signature: ΟΙ ΑΔΕΛΦΟΙ / ΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΛΑΖΑΡΟΣ /ΦΥΤΑΛΑΙ / ΕΠΟΙΟΥΝ (made by the Fitali Brothers).
Georgios and Lazaros Phytali founded one of the first marble sculpture workshops in Athens in the 19th century and created many monuments.
Andreas Metaxas was born in Argostoli, 1790 and died in Athens on September 8, 1860. He was a fighter of the Greek revolution of 1821, a diplomat and politician. He served as Prime Minister of Greece from September 3, 1843 until February 16, 1844.
City of Athens. Department of Cultural Heritage, 2022
@ text: Katerina Tsatoucha. Georgia Antonopoulou
@ photos: Victoria Kaisari