An original vintage photograph depicting the ruins of the Temple of Hera (Heraion) at the ancient sanctuary of Olympia, Greece, by the distinguished Greek photographer Nelly’s (Elli Souyioultzoglou-Seraidari). This temple is one of the oldest monumental temples in Greece, dating back to approximately 600 BC. Originally built of wood and gradually replaced with stone, it showcases the evolution of Doric column styles. The site is famously known as the location where the Olympic flame is lit today for the modern Olympic Games. The ruins shown include the Doric columns that still stand today at the archaeological site.
This photograph reflects Nelly’s’s refined aesthetic and her pivotal role in shaping the visual identity of Greece through evocative images of antiquity and landscape.
Photo Details:
• Photographer: Nelly’s
• Subject: Temple of Hera (Heraion), Ancient Olympia
• Medium: Gelatin silver print (vintage photograph)
• Dimensions (photo): approx. 21.5 cm × 15.5 cm
• Mount: Present (29.5 cm x 21 cm)
Authentication & Marks
The reverse bears the stamp of Nelly’s atelier:
“atelier artistique, 18 Rue d’Hermes, Athènes – Copyright by Nelly’s”
An additional embossed mark is visible at the lower right corner of the photograph.
Dating / Provenance:
This vintage print was likely made between the 1930s and 1940s, during the peak of Nelly’s career, and bears all marks confirming it as an original print produced under her supervision in her Athens studio.
About the Artist:
Nelly’s (Elli Souyioultzoglou-Seraidari, 1899–1998) was one of Greece’s most influential female photographers of the 20th century. Internationally acclaimed, her work shaped the visual image of Greece through photographs of ancient monuments, landscapes, and portraits. Her works are highly collectible today and sought after by collectors of fine art photography, Greek cultural heritage, and 20th-century portraiture.
Original prints from her Athenian atelier are increasingly sought after by collectors of fine art photography, classical antiquity, and Greek cultural heritage.
Rarity & Collectibility
Authentic vintage prints by Nelly’s, especially those depicting iconic archaeological sites such as Olympia, are scarce on the market and highly desirable. The presence of the atelier stamp further enhances authenticity and collector value.
