The Theophilos Museum in the Varia suburb, 4 km south of Mytilini town, is dedicated to Theophilos Hatzimihail (1870–1934), the self-taught painter who spent most of his life wandering Lesbos and the Greek mainland painting scenes from daily life, mythology, and history on walls, taverna doors, and any surface that would hold pigment. He was largely ignored in his lifetime — he often painted for a meal — but is now considered one of the most important figures in Greek folk art. The museum holds 86 of his works in a neoclassical building donated by his champion, the art collector Stratis Eleftheriadis (known as Tériade). It sits next door to the Museum of Tériade, making an easy joint visit.