Theophanes the Cretan

The well-known as Theophanes the Cretan Theophanes Strelitzas (Greek Θεοφάνης Στρελίτζας Theofanis Strelitsas, also Theophanes Bathas, * in 1500 in Heraklion, † 1559 ibid ), was a Greek monk and pioneering painter of the Cretan school.

Theophanes was trained in Heraklion as an icon painter. He was active from about 1527 to 1548, but not in Crete, but on the Greek mainland. He trained his sons and several students, many of them from Crete.

He was known primarily for his frescoes. His first known works are the murals in the monastery of Agios Nikolaos in Meteora Anapavsas from the year 1527th particularly impressive and enigmatic is the representation of the Jonas below the refectory of the monastery church. Another special feature is the representation of Adam, who is to give the creatures of the name, as well as the representation of the Last Judgement with an oversized jaws of hell right next to the access door to the church.

1535 were Theophanes and his two sons Simeon and Neophytos monks in the monastery Great Lavra on Mount Athos. Between 1535 and 1540 he worked at the Great Lavra monastery. The frescoes worth seeing The massacre of the innocents and the Transfiguration. In the years 1545 and 1546 he painted The Last Supper in Stavronikita monastery. The wall paintings in the monasteries of the Holy Mountain are the main focus of his work.

His icons are located in the Athos monasteries Great Lavra (1535 ), Ivrion ( 1535-1545 ), Pantokrator ( 1535-1545 ), Stavronikita ( 1545-1546 ) and Grigorios (ca 1546).

His work The Great Intercession ( Deesis ) in Karyes was groundbreaking for future generations.

• Frescoes of Theophanes in Stavronikita Monastery, Athos

Jesus in Golgotha

Crucifixion

Lamentation of Christ

• Dodekaorton, Great Lavra monastery, Athos

Birth of Jesus

Baptism of Christ

Dodekaorton Resurrection, 1535