Painter and poet Christos Markidis found dead in Exarcheia

On the afternoon of Monday, August 24, 2026, the renowned 72-year-old Greek painter and poet Christos Markidis was found dead in his apartment in the Exarcheia district of Athens. Authorities discovered the artist unresponsive after concerns were raised due to him not being seen for several days. An investigation into the exact causes and circumstances of his death is currently underway.

Born in Drama in 1954, Markidis studied at the Athens School of Fine Arts from 1974 to 1979, specializing in painting, fresco, art history, and psychology. Following his studies, he spent time living and working in Paris. His career spanned over four decades, during which he held numerous solo exhibitions and participated in more than 70 group shows in Greece and abroad. His work was known for focusing on portraits, the human figure, and still lifes, often employing metaphysical themes and a distinct use of light. Beyond his visual art, he was also a published poet and writer since the 1990s.