RTI photography of Post-Byzantine Cretan art at the Benaki museum in Athens

Sunday, August 31, 2014

ICACH was invited to apply RTI photography on two celebrated paintings from the early career of Cretan artist Domenikos Theotokopoulos (1541-1614), known as El Greco during his illustrious career in Spain along with various post-Byzantine masters of Cretan art (Georgios Klontzas, Michael Damaskinos and Aggelos Apopnakos). This opportunity was possible in the context of CyI’s collaboration with the Benaki Museum through the funding of LinKSceem II. Furthermore, along with the RTI acquisition of post Byzantine masters we were given the opportunity to digitize two paintings from Cyprus that needed to be photographed in order to aid conservation. Results have offered new, detailed evidence and valuable observations on El Greco’s work and post Byzantine technique and style during a transition period of art from Byzantine to Renaissance. This project opportunity has underlined CyI’s expert contribution in the cross-disciplinary analysis of artistic heritage; as a result, ICACH will further document other works with similar painting techniques and to participate in exhibitions and symposia organized in 2014 – 2015, nevertheless to aid archiving, conservation and analysis.

 

As a result, our mission has been well accomplished with fine results, furthermore we had succeeded the RTI digitization of the following paintings:

1. The Adoration of the Magi, signed by Domenikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco), 1541-1614

2. St. Luke Painting the Virgin, signed by Domenicos Theotokopoulos (El Greco), 1560-1567 (Including RTI digitizations of details.)

3. St.George on horseback slaying the dragon, Georgios Klontzas. (Including RTI digitization of details.)

4. Four military saints-Michael Damaskinos.

5. Ο Άγιος Γεώργιος, έφιππος δρακοντοκτόνος 'Αγγελος - Η εικόνα φέρει την υπογραφή του διάσημου κρητικού ζωγράφου Άγγελου Ακοτάντου.

6. The presentation of Christ in the temple, signed by Michael Damaskenos, Last quarter of 17th century.

7. St. Matthew. Middle of 16th century.

8. Two cypriot provenance byzantine paintings.