Athanasio Celia

Athanasio Celia (also Athanasios, or Athanassios Celia) is a painter, art expert and author. He is considered the founder of the "Verticality, Vertcalismus, or Verticalism" [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] as a form of artistic expression which the dominance of vertical lines emphasizes in artistic works. [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] These works are also known as “safe art”, because of their elaboration with fire, that makes them immune to forgery. [21][22][23] Parallel to his owed the “Verticalism” creations Celia devoted himself to portraiture. [24][25][26][27] As a "Greek artist and art expert" (Reuters, ref. 62), or "Paris-based painter and art historian" (The Guardian, ref. 66), he became worldwide known for his activities in the period 1992 - 2008 and he was interviewed by international audio-visual media such as BBC, Reuters and others.[28][29][30][31]

## Contents

* 1 Accomplishments
* 1.1 Painter
* 1.2 Art Expert
* 1.3 Author
* 1.4 Publications
* 2 References
* 3 External links

## Accomplishments[edit]

### Painter[edit]

Athanasio Celia was born in Germany. [32] Celia's art exhibitions began in the mid-eighties[33] and he became a “Paris-based painter” (The Guardian) in the nineties.[34][35][36][37][38][39] In 1991 his gallery in Paris introduced him as the “youngest established artist in Paris”.[40] And later in the same year followed his exhibition in the “Haus der Kunst” (the Art Museum) in Munich.[41][42] An all-day auction was dedicated to Celia's art[43][44] in Germany in 1995.[45] When he settled for the first time in Greece in 1998, the Greek press welcomed him as founder of the “Verticalism – Safe Art” and as the most expensive Greek artist.[46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53] Athanasio Celia was during his entire career also known for his philanthropic efforts.[54][55][56][57]

### Art Expert[edit]

Apart from his academic education as “art historian” (The Guardian), Athanasio Celia earned recognition as “art expert” (Reuters) because of his career as artist, but also because his is owner of one of the most complete and largest archives worldwide of unique manuscripts.[58][59]

* Ancient Greek wreath

In 1992, during an opening act of his own paintings in a gallery in Munich, he examined one ancient artefact of greatest value - a golden Greek wreath (400 BC). After the examination of the object, he gave to the persons who brought him the ancient treasure information of possible interested buyers. Soon the object was sold to "the J. Paul Getty Museum" in Malibu, California.[60] When Athanasio Celia later heard that the golden wreath had been illegally excavated, he informed the German authorities, and, years later, he handed over to the Greek state the photos which had been handed over to him by the smugglers, in order to enable the return of the object to Greece in 2007. An award-winning documentary about the subject has been broadcasted 2011 in several countries.[61]

* Sketchbook attributed to Van Gogh

In a further case, in 2007, Athanasio Celia examined a notebook with sketches which had been looted by the Nazis. In his report he attributed the notebook to the Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh.[62][63][64] His study on the notebook was published in a chapter of the book “The Notebook of Vincent”, for which Athanasio Celia also wrote the preface.[65]

* Painting attributed to Van Gogh

One year later, in 2008, he examined again an artefact which had been looted by the Nazis. This time it was an oil painting, which he also attributed to Vincent van Gogh and according to his report “it was the last painting of Vincent van Gogh”.[66][67]

### Author[edit]

* The publication ("God's letters")[68] is about a man who in 2001 recorded a vision, which contained 132 capital letters of the Greek alphabet that created a quadrangular shape 11 to 12. A study revealed that the text is readable in 115 different ways in the ancient Greek language and parallel it encloses depictions and symbols. Besides, it can be simultaneously deciphered mathematically. The whole process of the deciphering shows off an unbreakable mathematical, geometrical and theological coherence which in the end presents 10 big revealing texts. The vision-text, which has as its principal symbol the crucifix of Jesus Christ, turned out to be the Contemporary Revelation.

* The German edition of that study ("Der Logos - Der Gottes Beweis"[69]), is published by the same Protestant publisher who also publishes the renowned "German biographical encyclopaedia covering persons related to the history of the Church".[70] And it is broadly accepted by German Christian communities who also represent it through their bookstores.[71][72] Furthermore, the book is registered in the "Index Theologicus"[73] of the University of Tübingen and in other university libraries.[74][75]

### Publications[edit]

* "Ω - ο Λόγος", published by EPOS 2006, Greek, ISBN 9789609225304
* "Der Logos - Der Gottes Beweis", published by Traugott Bautz Verlag 2015, German, ISBN 978-3-88309-968-2
* Preface for Diodora Doreta Peppa:"The Notebook of Vincent", Concept Maniax Publications / Epos Editions 2008, ISBN 978-9609806121
* "God's letters", published by Athanasios Seliachas 2018, English, ISBN 978-9609225311

## References[edit]

1. ↑ Greek Newspaper Vradyni | https://archive.org/details/VradyniTheEveningsDaily/page/n3
2. ↑ Ask Art | www.askart.com/artist/athanasio_celia/11282705/athanasio_celia.aspx?stm=athanasio celia#
3. ↑ Weltkunst, Volume 65, 1995 | page 1080 | German | https://books.google.com/books?id=g5ZHAQAAIAAJ&q=athanasio+celia&dq=athanasio+celia&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiAg
4. ↑ Invitation of International Exhibition - Opening Speech “Laudatio” by the founder of “Verticalismus” Athanasio Celia (Part of the financial incomes went to “Cerebral Palsy Greece” https://www.eps-ath.gr/en/) & Greek Press – Zougla.gr – about the event “Tio Ilar 3 - An art exhibition for charity” (Zougla.gr – opening speech Athanasio Celia, video sequences 12’ 32’’ - 18’ 53’’)| https://archive.org/details/InvitationOfInternationalExhibitionOpeningSpeechLaudatioAthanasioCelia | https://www.zougla.gr/politismos/article/tio-ilar-3-mia-ek8esi-gia-filan8ropiko-skopo
5. ↑ Poster of Exhibition in Mykonos 2010 & Greek Press (Newspaper Naftemporiki) about the event | https://archive.org/details/PosterOfAthanasioCeliaExhibitionInMykonos2010 | http://www.naftemporiki.gr/story/278887/sugxrones-eikastikes-dimiourgies-sti-mukono
6. ↑ Tio Ilar, International Art Exhibition | http://www.tioilar.eu/index.php/artist-cvs/2012-01-31-09-45-45/athanasio-celia
7. ↑ Tio Ilar, International Art Exhibition | http://www.tioilar.eu/index.php/tio-ilar-3/the-artists/2012-02-06-09-08-20/celia-athanasio
8. ↑ The Full Wiki | www.thefullwiki.org/Athanasio_Celia
9. ↑ ArtSland | https://www.artslant.com/global/artists/show/221518-athanasio-celia
10. ↑ Ask Art | www.askart.com/artist/athanasio_celia/11282705/athanasio_celia.aspx?stm=athanasio celia#
11. ↑ Athanasio Celia Oil Painting On The Cover Of The City Guide Journal Of The Hotel Intercontinental Stuttgart | https://archive.org/details/AthanasioCeliaOilPaintingOnTheCoverOfTheCityGuideJournalOfTheHotelIntercontinentalStuttgart
12. ↑ Auction Zip | https://www.auctionzip.com/auction-lot/Celia,-A.-late-20th-early-21st-cent.-.-Abstrac_25E478E8BE/
13. ↑ Art Net | www.artnet.com/artists/athanasio-celia/vertical-flora-27-oDI1Q-zdFdzkHT_AD_9w_Q2
14. ↑ Art Net | www.artnet.com/artists/athanasio-celia/vertical-fauna-19-Eq2xgY4x47a4Nj9pbajkdw2
15. ↑ Blouin art sales index | https://www.blouinartsalesindex.com/Athanasio-Celia-355766-results.action
16. ↑ The Saleroom | https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-us/auction-catalogues/nosbsch-and-stucke-gmbh-auktionen-berlin/catalogue-id-srnos10008/lot-903d458e-6755-48f2-bfdd-a76e00f528b5
17. ↑ Art Price | https://www.artprice.com/artist/624570/athanasio-celia
18. ↑ Mutual Art | https://www.mutualart.com/Artist/Athanasio-Celia/CE69E4A607C7106B
19. ↑ ArtValue | http://www.artvalue.fr/artist--celia-athanasio-20-germany-236067.htm
20. ↑ BidToArt | https://bidtoart.com/en/find-artist/athanasio-celia/517956
21. ↑ Greek Newspaper Vradyni | https://archive.org/details/VradyniTheEveningsDaily/page/n3
22. ↑ Greek Newspaper Eleftheros Typos | https://archive.org/details/EleftherosTyposFreePress/page/n1
23. ↑ Art Museum Munich (Haus der Kunst), 1990 | Invitation and photos of the museum's placard | https://archive.org/details/AthanasioCeliaInvitationOfTheArtMuseumInMunichHausDerKunstPhotosOfTheMuseumPlacard
24. ↑ Portrait of Fritz Wotruba by Athanasio Celia | https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/fritz-wotruba.-portrait-for-autograph.-1991-2e74055bc0
25. ↑ Portrait of Pierre Soulage by Athanasio Celia | https://www.autographes-des-siecles.com/produit/pierre-soulages-athanasio-celia-dessin-original/
26. ↑ Portrait of Kumi Sugai by Athanasio Celia | https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/nosbsch-and-stucke-gmbh-auktionen-berlin/catalogue-id-srnos10008/lot-c7f71289-3f33-4d30-ad18-a76e00f3280e
27. ↑ Portrait of Heinz Trökes by Athanasio Celia | https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/trokes-heinz-sammlung-von-5-postkarten-2-eigen-1109-c-0cf48418d1#
28. ↑ DocArt | http://www.docart.it/index.php?/en_portfolio_page/131/ | titel: Looters of the Gods | Sequences about Athanasio Celia: 15'30- 17'32, 29'00- 29'25, 48'11- 50'12
29. ↑ BBC interview of Athanasio Celia – PM | Van Gogh in Athens - A lost painting by Van Gogh surfaces in Athens (Channel | Radio 4) – sequences 02’.29’’ - 02’.49’’ & 03’.24’’ - 03’.54’’ | www.bbc.co.uk/archive/van_gogh/10927.shtml
30. ↑ BBC interview of Athanasio Celia | BBC News - Van Gogh art in 'Greek vault' – sequences 00’.34’’ - 00’.58’’ | news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7357057.stm
31. ↑ Reuters interview of Athanasio Celia - GREECE: Sketchbook of Van Gogh believed to have been found in Greece – sequences 01’.50’’- 01’.58’’ & 02’.07’’ - 02’.48’’ | https://reuters.screenocean.com/record/712312
32. ↑ Greek Newspaper Eleftherotypia | https://archive.org/details/EleftherotypiaFreedomOfThePress
33. ↑ Invitation with Exhibition list, Gallery Ohm, Munich 1992 & bibliography about that exhibition | https://archive.org/details/AthanasioCeliaInvitationOfTheGalleryOhmMunich1992ExhibitionList19851991 | https://books.google.gr/books?id=pZ44DgAAQBAJ&pg=PT4&dq=the+medici+conspiracy&hl=el&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwil-a-u-6fgAhXQUlAKHQaKAbwQ6AEIKDAA#v=onepage&q=ohm&f=false
34. ↑ Greek Newspaper Kyrix | https://archive.org/details/KyrixHerald
35. ↑ Greek Newspaper Eleftherotypia | https://archive.org/details/EleftherotypiaFreedomOfThePress
36. ↑ L’ Officiel des Galeries, Paris 1991 | https://archive.org/details/AthanasioCeliaInTheLOfficielDesGaleriesParis1991
37. ↑ The Rive Droite Programme des Galeries, Paris 1990 | https://archive.org/details/AthanasioCeliaInTheRiveDroiteProgrammeDesGaleriesParis1990
38. ↑ Paris Rive Gauche 1990 | https://archive.org/details/ParisRiveGauche15May15July
39. ↑ Poster & Invitation of Gallery Sculptures, Paris 1990 | https://archive.org/details/AthanasioCeliaPosterOfTheGallerySculpturesParis1990 | https://archive.org/details/AthanasioCeliaInvitationOfTheGallerySculpturesParis1990
40. ↑ Poster & Invitation of Gallery Sculptures, Paris 1991 | https://archive.org/details/AthanasioCeliaPosterOfTheGallerySculpturesParis1991 | https://archive.org/details/AthanasioCeliaInvitationOfTheGallerySculpturesParis1991
41. ↑ Art Museum Munich (Haus der Kunst), 1990 | https://archive.org/details/AthanasioCeliaInvitationOfTheArtMuseumInMunichHausDerKunstPhotosOfTheMuseumPlacard
42. ↑ Invitation with Exhibition list, Gallery Ohm, Munich 1992 & bibliography about that exhibition | https://archive.org/details/AthanasioCeliaInvitationOfTheGalleryOhmMunich1992ExhibitionList19851991 | https://books.google.gr/books?id=pZ44DgAAQBAJ&pg=PT4&dq=the+medici+conspiracy&hl=el&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwil-a-u-6fgAhXQUlAKHQaKAbwQ6AEIKDAA#v=onepage&q=ohm&f=false
43. ↑ Athanasio Celia Art Catalog in the Museum Library of Cologne | http://193.30.112.134/F/-?func=find-a&local_base=HBZ01&find_code=PGI&request=(DE-588)174193769
44. ↑ Art Catalog of Athanasio Celia in The German National Library | https://portal.dnb.de/opac.htm?method=simpleSearch&cqlMode=true&query=nid=174193769
45. ↑ Weltkunst, Volume 65, 1995 | page 1080 | https://books.google.com/books?id=g5ZHAQAAIAAJ&q=athanasio+celia&dq=athanasio+celia&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiAg
46. ↑ Greek press about Athanasio Celia. Title of the article: Art by appointment | https://archive.org/details/TaNeaTheNews
47. ↑ Greek press about Athanasio Celia. Title of the article: Athanasio Celia in Athens | https://archive.org/details/ToOnomaTheName
48. ↑ Greek press about Athanasio Celia. Title of the article: The uniqueness of the first line | https://archive.org/details/AthinaikiAthenianPress
49. ↑ Greek press about Athanasio Celia. Title of the article: Celia in Nea Smyrni | https://archive.org/details/TopikiNeaSmirnilocalNewsOfNeaSmyrni
50. ↑ Greek press about Athanasio Celia. Title of the article: SAFE ART / Pioneering artworks Celia permanently in Athens | https://archive.org/details/AdesmeftosTyposUnboundPress
51. ↑ Greek press about Athanasio Celia. For the first time in Greece... | https://archive.org/details/ApogevmatiniafternoonNews
52. ↑ Greek press about Athanasio Celia. Title of the article: Celia in Greece | https://archive.org/details/KalimeraGoodMorning
53. ↑ The Full Wiki | www.thefullwiki.org/Athanasio_Celia
54. ↑ Greek Newspaper Kyrix | https://archive.org/details/KyrixHerald
55. ↑ Greek Newspaper Eleftherotypia | https://archive.org/details/EleftherotypiaFreedomOfThePress
56. ↑ Invitation with Exhibition list, Gallery Ohm, Munich 1992 & bibliography about that exhibition | https://archive.org/details/AthanasioCeliaInvitationOfTheGalleryOhmMunich1992ExhibitionList19851991 | https://books.google.gr/books?id=pZ44DgAAQBAJ&pg=PT4&dq=the+medici+conspiracy&hl=el&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwil-a-u-6fgAhXQUlAKHQaKAbwQ6AEIKDAA#v=onepage&q=ohm&f=false
57. ↑ Invitation of International Exhibition - Opening Speech “Laudatio” by the founder of “Verticalismus” Athanasio Celia (Part of the financial incomes went to “Cerebral Palsy Greece” https://www.eps-ath.gr/en/) & Greek Press – Zougla.gr – about the event “Tio Ilar 3 - An art exhibition for charity” (Zougla.gr – opening speech Athanasio Celia, video sequences 12’ 32’’ - 18’ 53’’)| https://archive.org/details/InvitationOfInternationalExhibitionOpeningSpeechLaudatioAthanasioCelia | https://www.zougla.gr/politismos/article/tio-ilar-3-mia-ek8esi-gia-filan8ropiko-skopo
58. ↑ The Notebook Of Van Gogh (study by Athanasio Celia) – relevant pages 26 - 27 & Reuters sequences of the study (sequences 1’ 50’’ – 1’ 58’’ ) | https://archive.org/details/TheNotebookOfVanGoghstudyByAthanasioCelia | https://reuters.screenocean.com/record/712312
59. ↑ The Full Wiki | www.thefullwiki.org/Athanasio_Celia
60. ↑ The Medici Conspiracy, Index Athanassios Celia, Chapter 21, Pages 310-312, 321 | https://books.google.com/books?id=pZ44DgAAQBAJ&pg=PT419&lpg=PT419&dq=athanassios+celia&source=bl&ots=5J0_T1jEbd&sig=IW4WrBA3zLvFyI4mqfSjAlfyiDk&hl=el&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiL69mZ_eLTAhUGAcAKHZzEDBEQ6AEILjAB#v=onepage&q=athanassios celia&f=false
61. ↑ DocArt | http://www.docart.it/index.php?/en_portfolio_page/131/ | titel: Looters of the Gods | Sequences about Athanasio Celia: 15'30- 17'32, 29'00- 29'25, 48'11- 50'12
62. ↑ Karolos Grohmann | Reuters | https://www.reuters.com/article/us-greece-vangogh-idUSL1616838020080116 | titel: Experts examine "Van Gogh" sketchbook in Greece | date 2008-01-16
63. ↑ ABC News Australia | http://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-01-17/experts-examine-van-gogh-sketchbook/1015196 | titel: Experts examine 'van Gogh'sketchbook | date 2008-01-17
64. ↑ Mail online News | https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-508643/Van-Gogh-sketchbook-looted-Nazis-discovered-Greece.html | titel: Van Gogh sketchbook 'looted by Nazis' is discovered in Greece | date 2008-01-17
65. ↑ ΤΟ ΣΗΜΕΙΩΜΑΤΑΡΙΟ ΤΟΥ VINCENT / The Notebook of Vincent (author : ΝΤΟΡΕΤΑ-ΔΙΟΔΩΡΑ ΠΕΠΠΑ / Diodora Doreta Peppa) | Look at: a) Περιεχόμενα / Contents (5. ΤΙ ΕΦΕΡΕ ΣΤΟ ΦΩΣ Η ΜΕΛΕΤΗ ΤΟΥ ΑΘΑΝΑΣΙΟΥ ΣΕΛΙΑ / 5. What the study of Athanasio Celia revealed), b) Λεπτομέρειες / Details (Πρόλογος ΣΕΛΙΑΣ ΑΘΑΝΑΣΙΟΣ / Preface Athanasio Celia) | https://www.politeianet.gr/books/9789609806114-gogh-vincent-van-epos-to-simeiomatario-tou-vincent-protos-tomos-110467 | Greek ISBN 9789609806114 / English ISBN 978-9609806121
66. ↑ The Guardian | https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2008/may/19/art.news | titel: Experts fall out over Van Gogh's 'last painting' | date 2008-05-19
67. ↑ Helena Smith | The Hindu | http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/Was-it-Van-Goghrsquos-last-work/article15225589.ece | titel: Was it Van Gogh’s last work? | date: MAY 20, 2008
68. ↑ Forth publication
69. ↑ Second publication
70. ↑ German biographical encyclopaedia covering persons related to the history of the Church | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biographisch-Bibliographisches_Kirchenlexikon
71. ↑ Bookstore of the diocese in Stuttgart -- https://www.buchdienst-wernau.de/gesamt-sortiment,vlb_book_details?vid=isbn13-9783883099682
72. ↑ Bookstore of Veritas -- https://www.veritas-shop.com/list?quick=athanasio+celia&cat=
73. ↑ Athanasio Celia in the Index Theologicus | https://ixtheo.de/Search/Results?lookfor=174193769
74. ↑ University of Cooperative education in Sachsen Germany | https://katalog.ba-sachsen.de/Record/0019547007
75. ↑ Universidad del Sagrado Corazón (English: University of the Sacred Heart) in San Juan, Puerto Rico | https://biblioteca.sagrado.edu/eds/detail?db=edsebk&an=958178&isbn=9783869457628

## External links[edit]

* Saatchi Art | https://www.saatchiart.com/account/profile/92876
* Literature by Athanasio Celia in the catalogue of the German National Library | https://portal.dnb.de/opac.htm?method=simpleSearch&cqlMode=true&query=nid=106844214X