Description:

MICHAEL LEKAKIS (AMERICAN 1907-1987)
A Portrait of a Man
chalk on paper
34 x 27 cm (13 3/8 x 10 5/8 in.)

signed lower right

n.b. In-house shipping is available for this item. Domestic shipping: $60. International: $120.. Multiple lots can be combined for a determined flat rate by request.

PROVENANCE
Gift of the artist to Theodoros Stamos (1922-1977)
Thence by descent in the family

LOT NOTES
Michael Lekakis was a distinguished American sculptor, painter, and poet whose work combined classical harmony with the spirit of modern abstraction. Born in New York City in 1907 to Greek immigrant parents, Lekakis’s art was shaped by both Western modernism and the mythology and proportion of ancient Greek art, a synthesis that defined his career.

After studying at the National Academy of Design in New York, Lekakis gained recognition in the 1930s for his sensitive wood sculptures and rhythmic painted compositions. His early works were rooted in organic abstraction, emphasizing flowing, calligraphic lines that echoed both natural and mythological forms. Influenced by artists such as Brancusi, Arp, and Miró, he developed a distinctive sculptural language that balanced spiritual symbolism with material simplicity.

Lekakis’s work achieved national prominence in the 1950s and 1960s through exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and numerous university galleries. Critics praised his ability to fuse the lyrical qualities of poetry and music into visual form. His use of wood - often left partially unfinished to reveal its living texture - reflected his belief that art should reveal “the eternal motion within stillness.”

In addition to his sculpture and painting, Lekakis was an accomplished poet and teacher, serving on the faculty at New York University and participating in the American Abstract Artists group. His art remained deeply spiritual throughout his life, inspired by Greek myth, calligraphy, and the rhythms of nature.

Michael Lekakis’s works are represented in major collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Whitney Museum, and Smithsonian American Art Museum. He is remembered as an artist of rare sensitivity who bridged ancient ideals and modern abstraction, creating a body of work that is both timeless and profoundly personal.

CONDITION
The work is in good condition, no visible issues to report.

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October 25, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Bedford Hills, NY, US

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