Remarkable collaboration between a Greek monk and a graphologist has unearthed the true identity of the celebrated Byzantine artist known as Manuel Panselinos. The discovery marks a significant breakthrough in art history, shedding light on one of the most revered figures of the Byzantine Empire’s Macedonian school.
For centuries, Panselinos’s name has been synonymous with artistic brilliance, celebrated for his innovations in perspective and human expression. Yet, scholars have long suspected “Panselinos” — meaning “full moon” in Greek — was a pseudonym. Now, through meticulous research, Father Cosmas Simonopetritis and handwriting expert Christina Sotirakoglo have identified Panselinos as Ioannis Astrapas, a prolific artist and scribe of the late 13th and early 14th centuries.
The discovery hinged on matching handwritten characters in a 14th-century manuscript, the Marcian Codex GR 516, to painted lettering in murals at the Protaton Church on Mount Athos. Despite the challenges of comparing the manuscript’s flowing lowercase script to the blocky capitals on the murals, Sotirakoglo cracked the code by identifying unique features in the artist’s rendering of certain letters, particularly the Greek letter Phi.
“It was the Phi that unlocked the mystery,” Sotirakoglo explained. “Once we identified the distinctive traits in the lettering, the connection became clear.”
The Protaton Church, part of Mount Athos’s secluded monastic community, houses frescos long attributed to Panselinos. Father Cosmas, a senior administrator on Mount Athos, had spent years contemplating the works during his time in the church. His enduring fascination led him to initiate the investigation, culminating in this historic revelation.
“This discovery is not just about giving Panselinos his true name,” said Father Cosmas. “It’s about honoring his legacy and understanding the profound influence he had on Byzantine art.”
Astrapas’s work, which includes iconic church murals and illuminated manuscripts, is considered a cornerstone of Orthodox artistic revival during the Byzantine Empire. His newfound identity opens the door to further studies of his contributions, offering a richer understanding of Byzantine cultural history.
This groundbreaking revelation underscores the enduring mysteries of art history and the power of collaboration in uncovering them.
