Michael Damaskinos

Michael Damaskinos or Michael Damaskenos (Greek Μιχαήλ Δαμασκηνός; * 1530, † 1593) was a major Greek icon painter.

Damaskinos was born in the Cretan city of Chania in 1530. In Crete he learned the art of icon painting. Later he went to Italy, where he studied the works of Italian painters and also copied. From 1574 onwards, he lived as a member of the Greek community in Venice. During this time he was commissioned to paint the icons of San Giorgio dei Greci church. Shortly before his death he returned to Iraklion. About 90 of his works from the years 1555 to 1591 are obtained. Damaskenos was the most famous Cretan painter of the second half of the 16th century. He was a contemporary of Domenikos Theotokopoulos. Damaskinos and Georgios Klontzas are considered the most important representatives of the creative rebirth of the Cretan icon painting. Damaskinos joined the Italian mannerism with the Cretan icon painting. Damaskinos works, as well as by Andreas Ritzos, became models for subsequent generations of icon painters.