Gyzis Nikolaos (1842 - 1901) The Betrothal of the Children, 1877, Painting 19ty-20th Century, National Gallery, Athens, Greece. “Betrothal of the Children”, which exists in two variations, records a custom from Ottoman times. The parents engaged their children while still at a very young age, perhaps in order to protect them from being abducted by Turks. Arranged in a semi-circle in a village home interior,

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“Betrothal of the Children”, which exists in two variations, records a custom from Ottoman times. The parents engaged their children while still at a very young age, perhaps in order to protect them from being abducted by Turks. Arranged in a semi-circle in a village home interior, the merry scene is masterfully captured. In the centre of the painting, the priest has already put the ring around the puzzled boy’s finger, while the little girl is looking down, shying away from the old man’s call to come forward for the ring.

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Size: 7323px × 4842px
Location: Athens Greece
Photo credit: © Peter Horree / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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