Greek artist Alekos Fassianos died Sunday aged 86 at his home after a long illness, the state news agency ANA reported.

Fassianos was born on December 16, 1935. He took music lessons (violin) at the Athens Conservatory and painting at the Athens School of Fine Arts from 1955 to 1960.

Later in his life and right after his first exhibition, he moved from his hometown of Athens to Paris after gaining a French state scholarship to study lithography at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts (National School of Fine Arts).

He ended up staying in the French capital for the next 35 years.

Influenced by Greek mythology

In addition to contemporary style, his paintings were inspired by popular art and Ancient Greek mythology. He was also attracted by Byzantine themes. Fassianos also illustrated books, designed costumes for theatrical productions, and created sculptures.

Some even described him as the Picasso of Greece, and many of his works adorn public spaces, including a mural at a subway station in the Greek capital.

In France, he was made a commander of the Order of Arts and Letters and an officer of the Legion of Honor. His works have been exhibited across Europe and Latin America. His final major exhibition was a 2004 retrospective in Athens.

Precious heritage

"All the work of Fassianos, the colors that filled his canvases, the multidimensional forms that dominated his paintings, exude Greece," said Culture Minister Lina Mendoni in a statement.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Fassianos "always balanced between realism and abstraction" and he "leaves us a precious heritage".

Fassianos, who had been bedridden at his home in the suburbs of Athens for several months, died in his sleep, Viktoria Fassianou said. 

Ill health forced Fassianos to put down his paintbrushes in 2019.

Fassianos left behind his wife, Mariza, and two daughters.