Two Girl Friends 1946

Curator: Take a look at this, everyone. It’s “Two Girl Friends” by Yiannis Moralis, painted in 1946, and currently housed at the National Art Gallery here in Athens. Editor: Wow, what a heavy mood. They seem weighed down, almost trapped by something. There's a starkness to the light that doesn't offer any warmth. It is… brooding! Curator: Moralis created this piece during the tumultuous post-war years in Greece. Remember, this period was defined by societal rebuilding amid the backdrop of civil unrest and immense political pressure. Editor: You know, it almost feels like a painting from another century. It is beautifully rendered, the faces very serious but very classical. You see their gestures, which convey so much tension with so little detail. Their eyes, too, say so much; the expressions feel contained, like watching a tightrope walker… who forgot the rope! Curator: The constraints imposed by the prevailing social and political conservatism profoundly impacted artistic expression. Figurative paintings, especially portraits, offered a conduit to depict a constrained reality—both as reflection and resistance. Notice, here, that he paints these figures so that they push forward in the frame. The muted tones underscore the sobriety. Editor: Muted, but those jolts of red! I mean, isn't it odd? Such a vibrant red top, with so many greys and browns elsewhere! A bit jarring, isn't it? That girl, right up front, looks like she wants to speak—or scream—but she is biting her lip. I almost want to tell her, 'honey, just get it out'! Curator: Well, the red could symbolize defiance. It is a punch of colour, given the overall somber tone, wouldn't you say? Editor: Yes. Definitely. Still, those serious eyes stay with me. This painting might be more accurately called, ‘two friends with a really BIG secret’. Curator: It highlights the pervasive sentiment of the era. What an outstanding exploration of the post-war reality in Greece! Editor: Absolutely! I will keep this image with me. It makes me want to ask these women about their dreams—the quiet ones, and the red ones.