Bust of Laskarina Bouboulina

The female ‘Admiral’ of the Greek Revolution

Laskarina Pinotsi (1771 or 1776-1825), remembered as Bouboulina (i.e., the wife of Dimitrios Bouboulis, a shipowner from Spetses), was one of the greatest and iconic females of the Greek Revolution. She played a leading role in many military clashes, such as the first siege of Nafplio, the siege of Monemvasia and Tripolitsa, and also financially supported the Revolution. On her death, Russia awarded Bouboulina the title of Admiral, an unprecedented honour for a woman. Her dynamic character and her distinctive figure inspired many artists and writers both in Greece and in western Europe.

What are the characteristics of the sculpture?

The sculpture is made of bronze and is set on a tall marble base. Emphasis has been placed on portraying her facial characteristics in an imposing style, through which aspects of her personality, such as her bravery and dynamism, are conveyed to the viewer. As the journalist and historian of the time Ioannis Filimon describes: the Greek Revolution finds Bouboulina ‘fifty years old, beautiful, virile as an Amazon, an imposing captain, before whom the cowardly man feels ashamed and the brave man surrenders’. The portrayal of the honored heroine is completed by the classic scarf that wraps tightly around the hair and neck.

When was the work commissioned and installed?

The bust of Bouboulina was created by the sculptor Antonis Karachalios, and between 1965 and 1967, it was installed in the same location it is found today, in honor of Bouboulina for her participation in the naval blockade during the first siege of Nafplio.