The Halepas Enigma at Onassis Stegi

How much do we know about Greek sculptor Yanoulis Halepas, apart from him being the creator of the captivating “Sleeping Maiden" adorning the First Cemetery of Athens? The major exhibition on the work and life of Yanoulis Halepas, The Halepas Enigma, at Onassis Stegi sheds light on the sculptor’s creative period later in life.

Born on the island of Tinos, Halepas came from a family of marble sculptors. Showing talent from an early age he studied sculpture both abroad and in Athens and developed his signature luminous style, adopting elements from ancient Greek mythology and Christianity. His promising career came to a halt in 1877 when he suffered a nervous breakdown and was hospitalised in a psychiatric institution in Corfu. After his mother’s passing in 1916, he returned to his art, eventually gaining recognition later in life. During this creative period Halepas distanced himself from hard marble forms, moving instead towards using more immediate modes of expression. His total body of work includes almost 150 artworks, including sculptures, drawings and sketches.