Nikolaos Koutouzis

Nikolaos Koutouzis, or Koutousis (Greek: Νικόλαος Κουτούζης; 1741 – 1813) was a Greek painter, poet and priest. He was part of the

He was born in a part of Greece that was under

He also wrote satirical poems on local affairs and scandals,^[4] which often contained sharp lampoons of his contemporaries. In 1770, this led to an assault, during which he was wounded in the face.^[5] To hide the scar, he grew a beard. This event is also cited as his reason for becoming a priest, but it was seven years later before he took up priestly duties on Lefkada. He subsequently became a parish priest at several locations on his native island.

Nevertheless, he continued to write satirical poetry. This, combined with what was considered a theatrical manner of conducting church services, led to clashes with his superiors and parishioners. Eventually, he was charged with "misconduct and violation of the Orthodox ritual" and was defrocked in 1810.^[6][7] Three years later, some of his accusers recanted and he was reinstated but refused to take up his duties. He died a few months later. Although he focused on religious painting, his portraits were better known during his lifetime. He also took in the occasional student, most notably Nikolaos Kantounis.^[5]

Gallery

• 
  Portrait of a Scholar
• 
  Adoration of the Magi
• 
  Saint Anna
• 
  Adoration of the Shepherds
• 
  Portrait of a Nobleman
  with a Wig
• 
  Saint Spyridon, Saint John the Baptist, Saint Peter and Saint George

References

Further reading

• Nikolaos Koutouzis, Βωμολοχικές σάτιρες ιερέων, (satirical poems) Periplus, 1996
  ISBN 978-960-7131-42-3
• Dinos Konomos, Nikolaos Koutouzis (a biographical novel), Athens, A.Karavias, 1974 [1]

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nikolaos Koutouzis.

• Biographical notes, with samples of his poetry, @ the Imera (Zante edition) website