The marble statue of Adamantios Korais, who was a major figure of the Greek Enlightenment.
Home > Athens > Culture > Modern art/ sculpture > Centre > Adamantios Korais
This is the marble statue of Adamantios Korais, 1.8 m. tall. The archaic posture of the Korais statue was typical of the way intellectuals were depicted in 18th century sculpture in Europe. He is holding a vellum in his left hand and wearing an overcoat that ends in sharp folds (classicistic influence). The head is slightly bent downwards.
Adamantios Korais (1748-1833) was a major figure of the Greek Enlightenment. He was a philologist and among the few knowledgeables of the Greek culture at the time. He wrote many literary works, published works of ancient Greek authors and as a scholar, he endeavoured to remove foreign words from the Greek language. Also, he was prolific in theological work, an advocate of religious tolerance and the right of muslims to be Greek citizens . The statue was commissioned by the Chios island committee. The model was manufactured by Ioannis Kossos (1822-1875), while it was carved in marble by his student Georgios Vroutos (1843-1909). It has been declared a protected monument in situ, like the other sculptures that are part of the Athenian Trilogy.
Antonopoulou Z., (2003), Τα γλυπτά της Αθήνας, Υπαίθρια Γλυπτική1834-2004 [The sculptures of Athens, Outdoor sculpting 1834-2004], Potamos
Ilios F., (2003), Νεοελληνικός διαφωτισμός, η νεωτερική πρόκληση, [Modern greek endlightnment, the modern challenge] in the History of Modern Hellenism 1770-2000, Enlightnment- History of Education- Institutions and Law, v.2, p.p. 9-26
Kitromilidis P.M., (2003), Η πολιτική σκέψη του νεοελληνικού διαφωτισμού, [The political thought of modern Greek enlightnment], in the History of Modern Hellenism 1770-2000, Enlightnment- History of Education- Institutions and Law, v.2, p.p. 27-38
Politis A., (2003), Ποίηση και Πεζογραφία στα χρόνια της ανεξαρτησίας, [Poetry and Literature in the years of independence], in Ιστορία του Νέου Ελληνισμού, 1770- 2000, [History of modern Hellenism, 1770-2000], v.1, p.p. 327- 344
1884 Statue officially revealed.
1998 Vandalized.
2000 A brass replica was manufactured, which was placed in the central square of Montpellier in France, in honour of Korais as the father of modern democracy.
Share