Spyros Ornerakis: The Renowned Greek Cartoonist Who Took On Monarchs and Made History

Spyros Ornerakis is one of Greece’s most iconic political cartoonists. Known for his sharp satire and emotional depth, Ornerakis made headlines with an unsigned anti-monarchy cartoon that became symbolic of Greece’s transition to a republic. Born in 1942 in Chania, Crete, he overcame personal struggles like dyslexia to become a towering figure in Greek visual culture.

A Cartoon That Changed History

In the wake of the Greek military junta’s fall in 1974, the country faced a historic vote to decide the monarchy’s future. Ornerakis created a provocative cartoon featuring a child urinating on a royal crown—an image that was widely distributed and symbolized public resistance to monarchy. The boy was inspired by Ornerakis’s own son, Lykourgos. Though unsigned, the cartoon had a massive cultural impact as Greece voted 2 to 1 in favor of a republic.

“We were a group that operated in secrecy,” Ornerakis recalled. “We were afraid; we knew about the beatings that had been dished out by the Junta.”

Drawing Venizelos: A Dream Come True

Although Ornerakis had retired, in 2015 he was invited by the National Research Foundation Eleftherios K. Venizelos to illustrate the life of one of Greece’s most influential statesmen—Eleftherios Venizelos. For Ornerakis, also a Cretan, it was a labor of love.

“I spent ten years of my life with Venizelos,” he said. “Now that I’ve finished it, I feel a void, as if I’ve said goodbye to a friend who left on a trip.”

From Struggles to Mastery

Ornerakis’s journey was not without hardships. He was discouraged from drawing in school and even beaten by teachers for sketching in his textbooks. “Sketching was my refuge,” he said. “It was my consolation and my constant companion.”

He left Crete in 1960 to study interior design in Athens and attended art classes with legendary Greek artists like Yannis Moralis and Yannis Tsarouchis. “They taught me not how to draw, but how to love what I do and make it beautiful,” he said.

Career in Print, Stage, and Education

Ornerakis began working in advertising and soon found his place in the vibrant Greek media landscape. He designed covers for Tachydromos magazine and contributed to major newspapers such as Ta Nea, Vima, Eleftherotypia, and Kathimerini. His work extended to theatre set design, book illustration, and poster art.

He also founded Ornerakis Applied Arts, an art school in Athens, in 1991. He retired from teaching in 2021, but his legacy lives on through his students and the generations of cartoonists he inspired.

Ethics in Satire

Ornerakis often faced controversy. One Easter-season cartoon showing a man bearing a cross, meant to represent the struggles of the Greek people, triggered backlash from religious groups. “I never wanted to offend anyone,” he said. “I always tried to moderate my work. I had moral limits. Others did not.”

He stressed the importance of maintaining independence as a cartoonist: “You cannot function otherwise.”

A Changing Industry

According to Ornerakis, the world of cartooning has changed dramatically. “In my time, every newspaper had cartoonists and paid them well. Today, it’s a struggle.”

He added, “Talent is no longer enough. You have to know how to sell your work.”

Despite this, his advice to young artists is hopeful: “If you love it very much, do it. You will find a way.”

Legacy and Reflection

Now in his 80s, Ornerakis reflects on a fulfilling life: “I never thought I could live off my sketches. I had fun. I was full of optimism.” But he is concerned about the future for younger generations: “I don’t see much light. Things are very difficult now.”

Still, his enduring passion for sketching continues. “Now I’m flirting again with my easels and my drawing board. Now I do things that fulfil me.”