A representative of the so-called School of Munich (the Greek artists who studied in the Bavarian capital in the 19th century), he has always been regarded as ‘the painter of childhood’ due to his predilection for themes inspired by the life of children. Genre and outdoor scenes are also part of his repertory, which shifted towards portraiture and still-life painting after his return to Greece.

Mother’s Affection in the A. G. Leventis Foundation Collection exemplifies Iakovidis’ favourite subject matter – moments of affection shared by the young protagonists with mother, grandfather or grandmother. Several versions of this subject, which was first painted by Iakovidis in 1889, are known. It depicts a young mother feeding her baby in her arms. The setting is not specific, as the background remains neutral, and there are scarcely any objects. A mother’s love and affection are eloquently captured in the expression of the woman’s face, which glows upon looking at the child in her arms, in an image that encapsulates the very notion of motherhood. Contained forms, earthy hues, a warm tonality and diffuse, warm light enhance the mildness and serenity conveyed by the composition.

In addition to genre scenes, the artist was also interested in portraiture and still-life painting, especially during his mature years. The Portrait of Nikolaos Karagiannis, painted in 1882 while Iavovidis was studying in Munich, depicts a lawyer and is a characteristic example of a bourgeois portrait in a rather formal pose and a dark palette.