Description

This book examines the frescoes painted in 1491 by Xenos Digenis from Mouchli of Arcadia in the single-aisled, barrel-vaulted old katholikon, sanctuary of today’s katholikon of the Myrtia Monastery, near Myrtia of Aetolia. These are the best-preserved frescoes by Digenis, who also signed the frescoes in the churches of Aghioi Pateres at Apano Floria of Chania, Crete (1470) and the Dormition of the Virgin at Palaia Frastana (Kato Meropi) of Pogoni, Epirus (1470–1491?).

Since we are able to reveal the roots and evolution of Xenos Digenis’ art, and because of the fact that Digenis lived and practiced in the second half of the 15th century, the study of his works is of special interest to researchers of the Post-Byzantine painting. There seems to be a strong influence of the 15th-century Cretan painting on Digenis. Copying his models, Digenis proved to be a skilled painter, who – comparing his frescoes created during his almost 21 years of painting – improved his personal means of expression. On the other hand, certain cases allow to conclude that Digenis’ art had an impact on later painters, though local and temporary.

2011, 352 pages, hardcover, 17 x 24 cm, Monography in Greek – extended English summary, many figures, XLIV tables;
ISBN: 978-3-938533-31-4