Theodore Apsevdis

Theodore Apsevdis
Jesus Pantocrator
Born
Assumed Constantinople
(modern-day Istanbul, Turkey)
Died
Possibly Cyprus
MovementByzantine Painting School

Theodore Apsevdis (Greek: Θεόδωρος Αψευδής) was a Greek painter assumed to be from Constantinople. He is one of the few Byzantine painters known by name. His contemporary in Italy was Alberto Sotio; both painters were active during the same period. They were active during the Komnenian restoration. Apsevdis's work influenced the Palaeologan Renaissance. Several Italian artists who painted in the style were Coppo di Marcovaldo and Guido of Siena. Apsevdis and his contemporaries set the stage for the Italian and Cretan Renaissance. Some of his notable work is in Cyprus.[1][2][3][4][5]

History

He may have been born in Constantinople sometime during the 12th century. Not much is known about his life. His painting style resembles the art of Constantinople. Historians have deduced he was from the city. He may have traveled all over the empire painting in different churches. His signature was found in one of the churches he painted in Cyprus. He is one of the few artists of the period whose name is known. Italian painter Alberto Sotio was the other known artist of the Italio-Byzantium during the same period. Many of Apsevdis's paintings survive until today. They are over 852 years old and are primarily in Cyprus. His main work is at the monastery of Saint Neophytos, Cyprus.[6] The 1192 murals of Panagia tou Araka have also been ascribed to him.[7][8]

Known to be by Apsevdis:

  • Fresco of a Saint
    Fresco of a Saint
  • Fresco of Three Men
    Fresco of Three Men

Ascribed to Apsevdis:

  • Virgin and Child
    Virgin and Child

See also

References

  1. ^ Romaine, James (2013). ReVisioning Critical Methods of Seeing Christianity in the History of Art. Cambridge, United Kingdom: The Lutterworth Press. p. 25. ISBN 978-1620320846.
  2. ^ Vasilaki, Maria (1997). The Portrait of the Byzantium. Cambridge, United Kingdom: The Lutterworth Press. pp. 84, 89, 100. ISBN 9789605240196.
  3. ^ Piompinos, Phoivos I. (1984). Hellēnes hagiographoi mechri to 1821. Athens, Greece: Hellenic Society of Literature and Historical Studies. p. 487. ISBN 9789605240196.
  4. ^ Staff Writers (August 10, 2021). "The art of Theodore Apsevdis". The Cyprus Institute. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  5. ^ Staff Writers (August 10, 2021). "Catalog of the Byzantine Museum". The Cyprus Makarios Cultural Center. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  6. ^ Mango C., Hawkins E. J. W., 1966, The Hermitage of St. Neophytos and Its Wall Paintings, DOP 20, 119-206.
  7. ^ Nicolaïdès A., 1996, L'église de la Panagia Arakiotissa à Lagoudéra, Chypre: étude iconographique des fresques de 1192, DOP 50, 1-137.
  8. ^ Papageorghiou A., Bakirtzis Ch., Hadjicristodoulou Ch. (eds), 2018, The Church of Panagia tou Arakos, Nicosia.