Dimitrios Klitsas was born in 1948 in Vatatathes, a small village in
the foothills of northern Greece near Ioannina. Having lost his
father, a fine furniture maker by trade, at a very early age, it fell
upon his mother to conclude that the young boy had few prospects
growing up in such a small village. So, at the tender age of 13, Klitsas was despatched to the Ioannina Technical School for four years of study.

The school was to decide that Klitsas would be placed in the woodcarving department under the tutelage of Angelo Moshos. Moshos, a Greek master carver and university professor, was to have a tremendous influence on Klitsas’s life and development as a carver far beyond technical school. From the outset, Klitsas was encouraged to combine the essential technical skills such as handling tools correctly using both hands and traditional hand sharpening, with the more subtle mastery of design. Most projects had to be drawn free hand and directly onto the wood. Angelo’s teaching methodology followed a logical progression from simple projects to more complex relief, architectural and sculptural work.

Klitsas’s work, from concept and design all the way to execution has evolved into flawless artistry in motion.

The song of the chisel
While working for Moskos in Athens for five years, Klitsas was afforded many opportunities to work in the style of Louis XV. Many pieces and architectural elements were carved for his mentor’s own home. Little did he know that those experiences and skills would be extensively called upon 39 years later to carve a complete piano for the legendary Steinway & Sons Piano Co, in his own studio in Hampden, Massachusetts.

The musical masterpiece, based on the design of the 1902 original Doheny Steinway, was replicated using only aged photographs of the instrument provided by Steinway (the original piano remains in a private collection).

Klitsas is considered one of a very limited number of master carvers in the world skilled enough for such demanding technical design work and the execution of the intricately carved floral panels interlocking the original art work. The result is simply stunning and a truly worthy example of the legacy of his art.

The versatility of the true master really comes to the fore when challenged to create totally original works that invigorate and enrich existing architecture.

Personal touch
The owner of a residential property recently provided just such a challenge. The request was for a carved mahogany cresting rail to embellish an area with existing architectural elements. The final piece had to include fish, birds, frogs and decorative features in the style of legendary English master carver Grinling Gibbons (1648-1721). The final challenge was to translate the decorative nature of Gibbons’ work into an architectural form to blend into the existing features.

As can be seen from the pictures above Klitsas cleverly interprets Gibbons’ work with a hint of whimsy that adds both life and presence to the piece.

With his youngest son, Spiro, an accomplished carver in his own right working by his side, let Dimitrios Klitsas take your ideas and create a truly unique piece that the most discriminating of eyes will behold as a masterwork for generations to come.

Further information
Dimitrios Klitsas: Fine Wood Sculptor
Website: www.klitsas.com

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