Greek Goddesses: 4.Irene Papas

Irene Papas is like the Doric* ideal incarnate: solid, austere lines, drama in attitude, fortitude in distress. Beauty in the face of tragedy. And in tragedies she played indeed, with great aplomb.

Irene Papas in Antigone, 1961

[*of the Dorians, but also of the doric column style aesthetics]

She has said: "I never wanted to play sensational parts, or those of desirable women. I wanted to play me... the independent fighter...".


Zorba the Greek, 1964, by Michael Cacoyannis. Based on a novel by Nikos Kazantzakis. Shot on the island of Crete, Greece.

Scenes from The Trojan Women in which Irene Papas plays Helen of Troy. Song Asma Asmaton/ Song of Songs lyrics set to music by Vangelis. 

Irene Papas in A ciascuno il suo

Irene Papas in Z by Kostas Gavras

Born as Irene Lelekou in 1926. She looks amazing for her age, with absolutely no "work" done.

photo taken a few years ago

photos via mlahanas.de, hotinsights.blogspot.com, icollector.com, thegoldenyears.org