Théodore Jacques Ralli (Greek, 1852–1909)
On Shipboard
Oil on board
18 x 31 cm. (7.1 x 12.2 in.)
Private collection
Théodore Jacques Ralli or Theodorus Rallis (Constantinople, 16 February 1852 – 2 October 1909, Lausanne) was a Greek painter, watercolourist and draughtsman, who spent most of his working life in France and Egypt.
He painted genre works, portraits, local figures, architectural subjects, interiors with figures and animals. But he is best known for his orientalist paintings.
Theodoros Rallis
Jeune orientale
Oil on canvas wrapped on panel
68,5 x 31 cm
Private collectionHe was sent to Paris under the patronage of King Otto of Greece and studied under Jean-Léon Gérôme, French painter and professor at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, and under Jean-Jules-Antoine Lecomte du Nouy, both known for their orientalist paintings.
Theodore-Jacques Ralli
THE SACRED SERPENT
Oil on canvas
41.4 x 32.3 cm; 16 1/4 by 12 3/4 in
Private collection
A young woman kneeling, facing a sacred serpent emerging from a niche in the wall. Modestly dressed, her hands brought to her knees, she bows her head respectfully, bringing her face closer to the snake. The latter seems to stand slowly towards the young girl. Great attention is paid to detail, especially in the decor of ceramic tiles inspired by Ottoman productions, or in the beautiful blue basin to the left of the composition. This composition is charged with a certain dramatic tension. Ralli has chosen to paint the most delicate moment of the meeting, instilling doubt in the mind of the spectator. More on this painting
Like Gérôme he returned time and again to scenes from the hammam, whose voyeuristic associations assured strong commercial appeal. As Maria Katsanaki noted, 'Ralli showed a special preference for the moments of relaxation and enjoyment which followed the ritual of bathing. In these scenes he depicts his models with luminous velvet skin lying about languidly, towelling themselves gracefully or stretching coquettishly.
Theodore-Jacques Ralli
YOUNG WOMAN AT THE BATH
Oil on canvas
55.3 x 33.4 cm; 21 3/4 by 13 1/4 in
Private collection
Theodore-Jacques Ralli
YOUNG WOMAN AFTER THE BATH
Oil on canvas
55.3 x 33.4 cm; 21 3/4 by 13 1/4 in
Private collection
Ralli's favorite theme was the representation of oriental women in the bath. These subjects became the pretext for revealing the female body, often in lascivious and sensual poses. Here a young woman in an oriental setting, leaning over a basin. The composition allows access to the daily intimacy of the bather, who offers the gaze of her naked body. The artist plays on luminous contrasts to highlight the purity of the body and the milky softness of the skin. Attention to detail, such as Arabic script or the fine stream of water from the fountain, reinforces the beauty and credibility of the performance. As usual, Ralli chooses to paint a moment in suspense, the very moment of the young woman's hesitation. More on this painting
Théodore Jacques Ralli, 1852-1909
THE OFFERING
Oil on canvas
55 by 47cm., 21½ by 18½in
Private collection
Sitting languidly on a throne is a young girl, entirely naked. The incense burning to the left has induced her into a deep sleep, as petals drop to the floor from her open hands. While contemplating this work one cannot disregard the ambiguity of the title and ask oneself what is the offering, whether the flowers, brought to the altar by the young girl, or the girl herself, offering her body to the divinity in a moment of ecstasy. Whatever the meaning, this ambiguity certainly adds a layer of sensuality to this work. More on this painting
Ralli then travelled widely in North Africa and the Middle East, settling for a while in Cairo, Egypt. Here he found his inspiration for the romantic mysticism and suggestive sensuality of his many orientalistic paintings.
Théodore Jacques Ralli, 1852-1909
The First Slap
Oil on canvas
46 x 27 cm
National Gallery, Greece
Théodore Jacques Ralli, 1852-1909
Blind Leading the Blind
Oil on canvas
57 x 39 cm
National Gallery, Greece
Théodore Jacques Ralli, 1852-1909
Portrate of a Woman
Oil on canvas
46 x 27 cm
National Gallery, Greece
His other genre paintings were often nostalgic recollections of the life and customs of his Greek homeland, which he portrayed with a delicate and moving reverence.
His paintings were elaborated with great attention to detail, with great attention to costumes and facial expressions. The varying light sources in his paintings such as rays of light, candles, or the glowing embers in the fireplace are rendered in soft colours.
Théodore Jacques Ralli, 1852-1909
THE CAPTIVE (TURKISH PLUNDER), c. 1885
Oil on canvas
60 by 81.5cm., 23½ by 32 1/8 in.
Private collection
The young Greek captive is portrayed with a delicate and moving reverence, her head solemnly lowered and her gaze glancing at the viewer almost calling out for help. In the left of the composition her captors are seated smoking and conversing in front of a fire. The spoils of war can be seen in the foreground.
The scene is elaborated with great attention to detail, from the costumes of the figures to the icons in the background - the haloed figures of the Virgin and Child and a multitude of Saints being clearly visible in the background.
The subject of the captive fascinated nineteenth century artists. Another work by Rallis depicting an abducted maiden, but later in dateb (See below), is in the collection of the National Gallery and Alexandros Soutzos Museum, Athens. More on this painting
Théodore Jacques Ralli, 1852-1909
The Booty, before 1906
Oil on canvas
133 x 100 cm
National Gallery, Greece
The dramatic scene depicted in this painting is set in front of the sanctuary gate in the interior of an Orthodox church. The church has suffered great vandalism and sacrilege by the Turks; it has been robbed of its sacred utensils, seen piled up on the floor. Yet, the protagonist is the beautiful, almost naked Greek girl tied on the church bench. Her face conveys pain, outrage, anger.
The scene has been painted with the characteristic accuracy and mastery of French academic painting. The red belt is the only bold colour in this painting, in which brown tones are dominant. More on this painting
Rallis first exhibition was at the Salon in 1875. From 1879 he regularly exhibited at the Royal Academy in London. He was a member of the Société des Artistes Français, where he received an honourable mention in 1885, and a silver medal in 1889 (See below) for his whole work. He exhibited his paintings in the Salon de Rouen (1897, 1903, 1906 and 1909) and also in Athens during the Olympic Games of 1896. He also served as a member of the competition jury in 1900 at the Exposition Universelle. In 1901 he became a Chevalier of the Légion d’Honneur.
Théodore Jacques Ralli, 1852-1909
Refectory in a Greek Monastery (Mount Athos), c. 1885
Oil on canvas laid down on board
29.2 by 40.5cm., 11½ by 16in.
Private collection
Théodore Jacques Ralli, 1852-1909
ICON PAINTER ON MOUNT ATHOS
Oil on canvas
20 by 31cm., 8 by 12 1/4in.
Private collection
The present work is a premiere pensée for Rallis' painting Refectory in a Greek Monastery of 1885 that was exhibited in the Paris Salon of 1886 and the Exposition Universelle of 1889.
By depicting a contemporary scene within a composition that focused on traditional costumes and religious observances, Rallis imbued Refectory in a Greek Monastery (Mount Athos) with a sense of timelessness and peacefulness, which enhanced its appeal to a public in the midst of coping with the socio-economic changes that rapid industrialisation and urbanisation had brought about. More on this painting
After his death he was slowly almost forgotten. It is telling that his name is not even included in the Grove Dictionary of Art. Most of his paintings are still in private collections. Only a few museums ever purchased his works. A few of his paintings were auctioned in the 20th century, but only obtained modest prices. However lately, his paintings have been rediscovered and are being auctioned at prices that are a tenfold of some years ago, fetching prices from 30,000 to 100,000 euros.
Théodore Jacques Ralli
The artist’s studio, c. 1876
Oil on panel
54.5 by 45cm., 21 1/2 by 17 3/4 in.
Private collection
Ralli is preparing his model for a sitting. Dressed in colourful Oriental dress the young woman patiently waits while the painter adjusts her costume while her mother in traditional dress looks on. The interior of Rallis' Paris studio is filled with props, such as the lion skin on the floor and the fans in the background, that he has incorporated in several paintings.
The tradition of depicting an artist’s studio was longstanding in France. More on this painting
On 14 November 2007 a study for the painting “Refectory in a Greek Monastery (Mount Athos)” was auctioned at 200,000 euros at Sotheby's in London. But in January 2008, the actual painting “Refectory in a Greek Monastery (Mount Athos)” (1885) (See above) was auctioned at the absolute record price of 670,000 euros to a Greek collector at an auction in Ghent, Belgium. This was followed by the sale of his oil on canvas, titled 'Praying before the communion at Megara' (1890) (See below), at the Greek Sale, Bonhams. More on Theodoros Rallis
Théodore Jacques Ralli
Praying before the communion at Megara, c. 1890
Oil on canvas
60.4 x 93.4 cm
Private collection
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