Philippos Margaritis was born in Smyrna.
In the difficult years of 1821’s revolution his family ends up to Rome, where he is given the opportunity to study painting. Afterwards the end of his studies, he returns in Greece and he is named professor in the "school of arts ". The young art of photograph attracts his interest and in 1847 he makes his first daguerreotypes. In 1853 he opens in Athens the first photographic studio. The first subjects of his photographs are as all the photographers of that season - Greeks and foreigners - the archaeological monuments of Athens. Philippos Margaritis is an important artist, informed with his frequent travels in the abroad and his attendance in international exhibitions. His aesthetics are shaped by the sovereign currents of his season and he does not have anything to envy from corresponding colleagues in the abroad. All the important people pass from his photographic studio, and his photographs that have been saved in the various family albums- beyond the background and ethnological interest - us they give the sense that we have to make with an uneasy artist who experiments permanently.

photos by Philippos Margaritis