Konstantinos Volanakis: The Father of Greek Seascape Painting Konstantinos Volanakis (1837 – 1907) stands as a monumental figure in Greek art history, rightfully earning the moniker “Father of Greek Seascape Painting.” Born in Heraklion, Crete, his artistic journey began amidst modest beginnings—his parents were villagers near Rethymno—yet it blossomed into an internationally recognized career fueled by ambition and nurtured by serendipitous opportunities. His formative years saw him educated on Syros, absorbing influences from the burgeoning neoclassical movement prevalent at the time. A p…