Niki Goulandris
Niki Goulandris (Greek: Νίκη Γουλανδρή; 1925 – 9 February 2019[1]) was a Greek philanthropist[2] and an accomplished botanical painter.[3] She co-founded the Goulandris Naturial History Museum in 1965, and was deputy minister for social services, secretary of state of health. She was awarded the UNEP Global 500 Award and named Woman of Europe by the European Commission.
Early life
[edit]Born Niki Kephala, she was married to Angelos Goulandris, of the wealthy ship-owning Goulandris family, with whom she established the Goulandris Natural History Museum in 1965.[4]
After graduating from the German School of Athens, Niki Goulandris studied political science and economics at the University of Athens and continued with post-graduate studies in political science and philosophy at the University of Frankfurt under the philosophers Theodor W. Adorno and Max Horkheimer. She spoke French, German, and English fluently.
Goulandris was a botanic painter, learning to paint in Edinburgh, and painted about 800 plants throughout her life.[5][3] Her paintings helped illustrate several botanical books, such as Wild Flowers of Greece by C. Goulimis and W.T. Stearn,[6] and Peonies of Greece by Stearn and P.H. Davies.[7][8] An exhibition of her peony paintings was shown at the American Museum of Natural History in 1984.[3]
Goulandris was vice-president of the Goulandris Natural History Museum and Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art, former deputy minister for Social Services (1974–75), former Secretary of State for health in Greece (1974), honorary deputy president of Hellenic Radio and Television (1975–80), and member of the World Commission on Culture and Development of UNESCO. She served as the President of the Save the Children Foundation in Greece.[3] She was winner of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Global 500 Award in 1990, and in 1991 was named Woman of Europe by the European Commission, European Parliament, and European Movement.[8] She was also appointed an officer of the French Legion of Honneur and awarded the Order of Honor by the Federal Republic of Germany.[9]
She died on 9 February 2019 in Athens, aged 94.[9][5]
References
[edit]- ^ "Εφυγε από τη ζωή η Νίκη Γουλανδρή | Kathimerini". kathimerini.gr. 9 February 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
- ^ "Niki Goulandris honored in Uppsala". Ekathimerini. 25 January 2003. Retrieved 28 July 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c d Klemesrud, Judy (3 June 1984). "Greek Artist Shows Passion for Peonies". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. New York Times News Service. p. 14C. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
- ^ Haines 2001, p. 116.
- ^ a b "Prominent philanthropist and botanical painter Niki Goulandris dies". ekathirimini.com. 9 February 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ Goulimis & Stearn 1968.
- ^ Stearn & Davis 1984.
- ^ a b Haines 2001.
- ^ a b Vogiatzaki, Fali (2019). "Farewell to Niki Goulandris President of The Goulandris Natural History Museum". Athens University of Economics and Business. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
Bibliography
[edit]- Goulimis, Constantine; Stearn, William T. (1968). Wild Flowers of Greece. Illustrated by Niki Goulandris. Athens: Goulandris Natural History Museum.
- Stearn, W. T.; Davis, P. H. (1984). Peonies of Greece: A Taxonomic and Historical Survey of the Genus Paeonia in Greece. Illustrated by Niki Goulandris. Athens: Goulandris Natural History Museum. ISBN 978-0-565-00975-5.
- Haines, Catherine M. C. (2001). "Goulandris, Niki. née Kephalia. 1925– Botanical artist, Conservationist". International Women in Science: A Biographical Dictionary to 1950. Santa Barbara CA: ABC-CLIO. p. 116. ISBN 9781576070901.
External links
[edit]- Biography on the EURAN (European Art Network) website)
- Botanical paintings by Niki Goulandris
- Niki Goulandris, una filantropa ambientalista ed artista.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
- 1925 births
- 2019 deaths
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens alumni
- 20th-century Greek painters
- Goulandris family
- Greek philanthropists
- Greek women philanthropists
- Members of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts
- 20th-century philanthropists
- Botanical illustrators
- German School of Athens alumni
- Greek women artists