Academic education as an engineer at the Polytechnic School in Athens and painting at the University of Fine Arts in Athens with Georgius Jakobides. From 1906 to 1909 study of painting at the Königlichen Akademie der Künste in Munich. In 1910 resettlement to Florence, a year later to Paris. In 1911 several exhibitions in Paris. After the end of war, return to Ferrara (Italy), foundation of the school „scuola metafisica“ (metaphysical painting) together with Carlo Carrà and his brother Alberto Salvio.

In 1918 co-founder of the movement „Valori Plastici“. In 1920 foundation of the magazine „Pittura metafisica”, followed by the magazine „La Révolution surréaliste“ in 1924. From 1929 stage and costume designer in France. 1929 publication of his autobiographic novel „Hebdomeros, Le peintre et son génie chez l‘écrivain“. In the 1930s several lithography episodes, for Jean Cocteau’s „Mythologie“ and Appolinaire’s „Calligrammes“ among others. In 1974 admission as an external member in the “Académie des Beaux-Arts”. In 1976 awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Participation in the department painting at the documenta exhibitions 1 and 2 plus drawing at documenta 3.