Parthenis Painting Sets Record as Most Expensive 20th Century Greek Artwork at Bonhams Paris
On May 20, 2026, Constantinos Parthenis' 'Poésie (Annonciation)' achieved a remarkable €1,258,400 at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr's Greek Sale in Paris, establishing a new auction high for the artist and marking it as the priciest Greek painting from the 20th century. This piece, which was the largest ever by Parthenis to be auctioned, had an estimated value of €300,000–500,000. The overall Greek Art Sale garnered €4,333,720, with 72% of lots sold and 99% of the total value achieved. The event was a joint effort between Bonhams in Paris and Art Expertise in Athens, with Terpsichore Angelopoulou, Director of Art Expertise, calling it a historic auction.
Key facts
- Constantinos Parthenis' 'Poésie (Annonciation)' sold for €1,258,400
- The painting set a new auction record for Parthenis
- It became the most expensive Greek painting of the 20th century
- The work was estimated at €300,000–500,000
- It was the largest painting by Parthenis ever offered at auction
- The Greek Art Sale totaled €4,333,720
- 72% of lots sold, 99% sold by value
- The sale was a collaboration between Bonhams Paris and Art Expertise Athens
Entities
Artists
- Constantinos Parthenis
- Nikolaos Lytras
Institutions
- Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr
- Art Expertise
Locations
- Paris
- Athens
- France
- Greece