Portrait of Gabriel Severus | |
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Greek: Προσωπογραφία του Γαβριήλ Σεβήρου, Italy: Ritratto di Gabriele Severo | |
Artist | Thomas Bathas |
Year | c. 1577–1599 |
Medium | oil on canvas |
Subject | Gabriel Severus |
Dimensions | 103 cm× 84.5 cm(40.5 in× 33.2 in) |
Location | Hellenic Institute of Venice |
Owner | Hellenic Institute of Venice |
Portrait of Gabriel Severus is an oil painting by Thomas Bathas. Bathas was active in Heraklion, Venice, and Corfu during the second half of the 16th century. He was close friends with Gabriel Severus, the Metropolitan of Philadelphia, whose seat was moved from Philadelphia to Venice in 1577. According to the will of Bathas, he bequeathed Gabriel Severus a silver cup. He also made Severus the executor of his will. [1] [2] [3]
The portrait is one of the few works Bathas created following the prevalent technique in Venice during the Italian Renaissance. His typical style was the traditional maniera greca . The paintings were in high demand in Venice during the period. Michael Damaskinos and Thomas Bathas were more loyal to the maniera greca than El Greco, who completely converted to the Spanish Renaissance style. The Portrait of Gabriel Severus is a testimony that Baths was conversant in both styles. The portrait is now part of the collection of the Hellenic Institute of Venice in Italy. His student Emmanuel Tzanfournaris also created his own portrait of Gabriel Severus. [4]
The work is an oil painting on canvas with dimensions 103 cm (40.5 in) x 84.5 cm (33.2 in). It was completed between 1577 and 1599. The portrait features the Metropolitan Gabriel Severus in his religious robe. The robe is an example of 16th-century religious attire. The decorations on the robe allow viewers to distinguish his attire. The robe lacks dimensional symmetry and proportionality without the decorations. His robe loosely hangs over the armrest. [5]
He is holding a gold ornamented scepter. The scepter creates a foreground and a background for viewers. Behind the scepter a lavish bookshelf is decorated with books from the 16th century. The subject allows viewers a perspective of late 16th century books. The Greek language is written on almost every book. A book leaning against the shelf stands out with the crucifixion scene creating further spatial awareness. The chair is made of wood, it is decorated with Venetian ornaments.
The painter makes exemplary use of lines, circles, and rectangles. At first glance, it would seem that the chair disproportionally connects with the Metropolitan's back but his robe hanging over the armrest clarifies the artist's intentions. The Metropolitan's face and hands exhibit a sense of realism common to Italian Renaissance painting. His beard, nose, eyes, and facial features are painted in detail. Bathas makes exceptional use of sfumato.
Theodore Poulakis was a Greek Renaissance painter and teacher. He is considered the father of the Heptanese School and one of the most prolific painters of Venetian Crete. Poulakis was a member of the Cretan School, his contemporary was Emmanuel Tzanes. Emmanuel Tzanes and Poulakis were active painters of the Cretan School until Candia, went to war with the Ottomans around 1649. Candia finally fell after twenty years of siege in 1669. Poulakis settled on the island of Corfu. Stephanos Tzangarolas was another famous painter in Corfu around the same period. Poulakis's works are likened to Andreas Pavias and Georgios Klontzas. Poulakis works exhibit qualities of the Venetian school. Over 130 of his paintings have survived and can be found all over the world.
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Nikolaos Tzafouris, also Niccolo, Niccolò, Niccolö, Zafuri, Zafuris, was a Greek Renaissance painter. He was one of the founders of the Cretan School. He was influenced by Angelos Akotantos. His works influenced Emmanuel Tzanes, Elias Moskos, Georgios Klontzas and Theodoros Poulakis. Tzafouris was one of the most respected artists in Crete. His most notable work is Madre della Consolazione. The painting exhibits a combination of Byzantine and Italian styles. Another notable painter in Crete around the same time was Andreas Pavias. According to the Institute of Neohellenic Research, thirteen paintings are attributed to Tzafouris.
Christ Bearing the Cross is a tempera painting attributed to Nikolaos Tzafouris. Nikolaos Tzafouris was a Greek painter. He is one of the founding members of the Cretan School along with Andreas Ritzos, Andreas Pavias, and Angelos Akotantos. He was influenced by Angelos Akotantos. According to the Institute of Neohellenic Research, thirteen paintings are attributed to Tzafouris. Tzafouris was active between 1480 and 1501. Tzafouris had a workshop in Heraklion. Tzafouris painted religious themes for local churches. The painting is a mixture of Italian and Greek Byzantine prototypes. The work followed the traditional maniera greca and was influenced by Venetian painting. His most notable works are the Madre della Consolazione and Christ Bearing the Cross. Christ Bearing the Cross is in Manhattan on display at Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Ioannis Permeniates also known as Giovanni Permeniate, Joannes Permeniates and, Zuan Permeniatis. He was a Greek painter in Venice active during the early 16th century. His most popular painting is The Virgin and Child Enthroned. He was a Greek icon painter who attempted to escape the maniera greca. His icons exhibit qualities of both Venetian and Cretan styles. Exhibiting a more refined maniera greca, he eschews the simplicity of Duccio and Cimabue, and adds more space to his paintings.
Emmanuel Tzanfournaris, also known as Emmanouil Manos was a Greek painter. He was a painter in Corfu and Venice. He was taught by famous painter Thomas Bathas. Emmanuel's father Georgios was also a famous painter. Emmanuel was active within the Greek Community of Venice until 1625. Some of his paintings are in the church of San Giorgio dei Greci. He was influenced by Michael Damaskinos and other Venetian painters. Tzanfournaris adopted the Venetian school but also stayed loyal to the maniera greca. He influenced the works of countless painters namely Emmanuel Tzanes, Franghias Kavertzas, Philotheos Skoufos and his son Theofilakto Tzanfournaris. Tzanfournaris artwork can be found all over the world. Sixteen of his paintings have survived.
Ιoannis Apakas, also known as Johann Apakass was a Greek painter and priest. He was active in the latter part of the 16th century to the early 17th century. He was popular artist during his time.
Thomas Bathas was a Greek painter, educator, and Vikar. He employed the maniera greca in some of his work but he also broke from tradition by employing the Venetian style. He traveled around the Venetian Empire going from Heraklion to Corfu and Venice. He was a prominent member of the Greek Confraternity in Venice. He was friends with Gabriel Severus, Metropolitan of Philadelphia. He was very popular among both Greek and Italian patrons. He influenced the works of countless artists both Italian and Greek. Some of his works are in San Giorgio dei Greci and the Hellenic Institute of Venice. Emmanuel Tzanes, Konstantinos Tzanes, Ioannis Moskos, and Philotheos Skoufos were some Greek artists influenced by his work. One of his students was the famous painter Emmanuel Tzanfournaris. He left him a fortune in his will. His most famous works include: Portrait of Gabriel Severus and Virgin and Child Enthroned. Twenty of his paintings have survived.
Markos Bathas was a painter, copper engraver, and writer. He was a prominent member of the Strelitzas-Bathas family. He may have been related to famous painters Theophanes Bathas and Thomas Bathas. Markos moved to Venice. He was the first Greek painter associated with San Giorgio dei Greci. Greek painter Michael Damaskinos was also in Venice during the 1560s. He follows the traditional maniera greca. He became a prominent member of the Greek community in Venice. Not much of his works survived. His icons can be found in Ioannina. He was an illustrator, he wrote some of the works of Plotinus. He created the works in an Italian-style text. He also created works with mythological themes.
Stephanos Tzangarolas also known as Stephano Tzangarola. He was a Greek painter during the late Cretan Renaissance. He migrated from Crete to the island of Corfu. He is a member of the Heptanese School and the Cretan Renaissance. His contemporaries at the time were Panagiotis Doxaras, Theodore Poulakis and Elias Moskos. His artwork began to reflect the transition of the classical maniera greca of Crete to the more refined style of the Ionian Islands. His style resembles the transition of Gentile da Fabriano and Fra Angelico from the maniera greca to their respective styles. Tzangarolas paintings influenced countless artists both Italian and Greek. Some artists that reflect his style include Spyridon Sperantzas and Georgios Kastrofylakas. His paintings can be found all over Greece mainly Athens and the Ionian Islands. Some of his work is in Cairo and London. His student was famous Greek painter Andreas Karantinos.
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Antonios Papadopoulos was a Greek painter who represented the Cretan Renaissance. Papadopoulos, Andreas Pavias, Andreas Ritzos, and Nikolaos Tzafouris were all students of famous painter Angelos Akotantos. Papadopoulos reflects the sophistication and evolution of Byzantine painting to a more refined Venetian style. Although Cretan painting continued the tradition of the maniera greca, every icon reflected its own sophistication and uniqueness. Papadopoulos and his contemporaries influenced countless artists, namely Emmanuel Lambardos, Emmanuel Tzanfournaris, Thomas Bathas, and Markos Bathas. His most notable artwork is the Nursing Madonna or Galaktotrophousa. El Greco painted similar subject matter.
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