Plymouth, Massachusetts (Massachusetts Beach)
Object number2007.131.70
Artist
Helen P. Contis
(died 2004)
Date1980
MediumAcrylic; canvas; paper; glass; metal
Credit LineGift of Helen Contis
DescriptionAcrylic painting on canvas. Multicolored, rural town scene. Many houses on hills, one church, Greek temple; lower left corner: grey circle with number painted in black; lower center: river with boat at center and man in rowboat to left. Various vegetation, accented with multi-colored dots. Dimensions29.125 x 0.75 x 23.5 in. (74 x 1.9 x 59.7 cm)Signed"Helen P Contis / 10-29-80" in white, lower right corner on art.
InscriptionsLower left corner: grey circle with "1620" painted in black.
Historical NotesThis painting is part of a large collection of paintings and sketches by Peter and Helen Contis. Plymouth, Massachusetts made a huge impression on Helen and Peter when they visited. Peter Contis emigrated to Pittsburgh in 1910 and began working in the restaurant business with his brothers. Peter later returned to his homeland of Greece and met Helen in 1928; they married three months later. Moving back to Pittsburgh, Peter eventually opened a restaurant called the Neon Grill in 1932, while Helen raised their three children. Nearly thirty years later, the restaurant was closed and razed, allowing the Contis' to realize their talent in art. A religious man all his life, Peter began painting landscapes, both of Pittsburgh and Greece, and other still lifes, focusing on God's perfect affection in nature: his buildings are symmetrical and colors are vivid. Helen's talents were not revealed until after Peter's death in 1973, when she began to paint poetically the landscapes and still lifes on her own. Helen died in 2004.
Related person
Peter A. Contis
(died 1973)
On View
Not on view
