Crime-solving techniques uncover Byzantine art mystery

·

Modern crime-solving methods have helped identify a leading Byzantine artist, Manuel Panselinos, long shrouded in mystery. Scholars now believe Panselinos, known for blending humanity into Orthodox art, was a nickname for Ioannis Astrapas, a painter from Thessaloniki.

According to cbsnews, Panselinos’ works, attributed to the late 13th and early 14th centuries, are among the finest from the Byzantine Empire, known for its elongated saints and stark formalism. His identity has remained uncertain, but recent research has linked him to the Macedonian School of painting.

Greek monk Father Cosmas Simonopetritis and handwriting expert Christina Sotirakoglou compared lettering on a manuscript attributed to Astrapas with writing on paintings in Protato Church, Mount Athos, long considered Panselinos’ masterpiece.

“Panselinos was a real person, and the name was just a nickname for Ioannis Astrapas,” Father Cosmas told the Associated Press.

Despite Mount Athos’ millennium-old ban on female visitors, Sotirakoglou used photographs for analysis, identifying similarities in unique letter shapes, particularly the Greek Phi.

Father Cosmas’ daily visits to the Protato Church inspired his research, which he believes confirms the artist’s true identity. Byzantine art professor Constantinos Vafiadis agreed that Astrapas likely contributed to the Protato paintings but called for further study.

Astrapas’ works, combining classical antiquity and Orthodox spirituality, reflect a renaissance in Byzantine art, making his contributions unique worldwide.

Source: cbsnews

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Is chaos a strategy? My unplanned plan to moving overseas

Book the ticket. Pack your logic (and walking shoes). And if you're lucky, a stranger in a hostel might just become a lifelong friend.

Melbourne mum Debbie Voulgaris breaks silence from Taiwanese jail

Debbie Voulgaris has broken her silence from a Taiwanese prison, speaking out for the first time since her 2023 arrest for drug smuggling.

St George Saints bounce back with a big win

The St George Saints Mens White team were on a mission to avenge previous losses this week. Read more about it here.

Erdogan to be invited to Cyprus-led EU Council in push for regional dialogue

Cyprus has revealed plans to host a high-level EU Council meeting in April 2026, inviting leaders including Erdogan.

Judicial term ends for Cyprus Judge who made landmark ruling in Thanasis Nicolaou case

Judge Doria Varoshiotou will not be made a permanent judge after completing her two-year probationary term.

You May Also Like

Night of nostalgia in Sydney: Celebrating Stavros Kougioumtzis’ legendary music

On Sunday, March 24, The Great Club in Marrickville will honour a Greek music legend with a special tribute show taking centre stage.

George Frantzoglou: The magic has returned to Santa’s official hometown

George Frantzoglou tells The Greek Herald how the magic has returned to the official hometown of Santa Claus.

Greek PM and US Secretary of State discuss latest developments in Ukraine and the East Med

Greece's Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, discussed Ukraine and the East Med on Monday.