Theophanes the Cretan

Theophanes was born in Heraklion, Crete. He came from a long line of painters. His family was associated with painting for over one hundred years prior to his birth. They came from the Peloponnesus region. He was married and had two sons Symeon and Nifos-Neophytos. His wife died young. Theophanes decided to become a priest. He became a priest before 1527. Theophanes traveled to Mount Athos where he became a monk at the prominent monastery with his two sons. They both became monks and painters.[4]

He painted frescos in the largest monastery at Mount Athos. The Monastery of Great Lavra at Mount Athos. Theophanes had become so popular that he was entrusted with this very important task. He painted the frescos in the main building. It was a large Byzantine church founded in 1004. Theophanes's signature can be found in many parts of the building.[5]

In 1536, Theophanis purchased a seat in Great Lavra Monastery for him and his sons. In 1540, he gave more money to purchase a better location within the monastery. He obtained a vineyard and orchard. When his children were old enough he purchased the right for them to stay at the monastery with him. He also paid for his funeral in advance. Three years later Theophanes settled in Karyes. It was the administrative and commercial center of Mount Athos. He exchanged some of his property for a pyrgos or tower and meadows with orchards.[6]

Historians believe he traveled back and forth to Heraklion. They also agree Theophanis worked as a painter in Meteora at Saint Nicholas Monastery and Cyprus the Chrysostomou Monastery. By 1552, records indicate he was in Heraklion. He amassed a sizable fortune. He died the same day his will was recorded. He died on February 24, 1559. He gave his two children a sizable fortune consisting of gold coins, gold ducats, silver, and valuable gold byzantine coins. He also gave his children apartments in Heraklion.[7]

The Bathas family was a very important family in the world of icon painting. His sons continued his legacy. Other Bathas family members active around his life were Thomas Bathas, Markos Bathas and George Bathas. Both Thomas Bathas and Markos Bathas traveled to Venice where they were active artists. Thomas Bathas became a very important figure in Venice. He was associated with Metropolitan of Philadelphia Gabriel Severus. Thomas Bathas also painted parts of the famous Greek-Italian church San Giorgio dei Greci.[8]

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  Apostle Peter - Stavronikita monastery, Mt Athos
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  Saint Paul 1546
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  Jesus in Golgotha
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  Crucifixion
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  Virgin and Child
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  The Ascension 1546
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  Adam naming the animals
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  Epitaphios (Lamentation of Christ) from Stavronikita monastery, Mount Athos.
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  Last Supper, also from Stavronikita. Western influence is more apparent here, in the figures of the apostles especially.
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  Jesus and the Samaritan Woman
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  Saint Justin
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  Jesus before Pontius Pilate
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  The Nativity Story
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  Prophet Ezekiel
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  Washing of the feet
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  St. John

• Hatzidakis, Manolis (1987). Greek painters after the fall (1450-1830) Volume A. Center for Modern Greek Studies E.I.E.

• Hatzidakis, Manolis & Drakopoulou, Eugenia (1997). Greek painters after the fall (1450-1830) Volume B. Center for Modern Greek Studies E.I.E.

• Drakopoulou, Eugenia (2010). Greek painters after the fall (1450-1830) Volume C. Center for Modern Greek Studies E.I.E.

• Byzantium: faith and power (1261-1557), an exhibition catalog from The Metropolitan Museum of Art (fully available online as PDF), which contains material on Theophanes the Cretan

• Media related to Theophanes the Cretan at Wikimedia Commons
• Article on his frescoes
• Theophanes of Crete in Byzantine art