Andreas Ritzos (; 1421—1492; also spelled ''Rico'', ''Ricio'' or ''Rizo'') was a Greek

icon An icon () is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, in the cultures of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Catholic Church, Catholic, and Lutheranism, Lutheran churches. The most common subjects include Jesus, Mary, mother of ...

painter from

Crete Crete ( ; , Modern Greek, Modern: , Ancient Greek, Ancient: ) is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the List of islands by area, 88th largest island in the world and the List of islands in the Mediterranean#By area, fifth la ...

. Ritzos is considered one of the founding fathers of the

Cretan school Cretan school describes an important school of icon painting, under the umbrella of post-Byzantine art, which flourished while Crete was under Venetian rule during the late Middle Ages, reaching its climax after the fall of Constantinople, beco ...

. He was affiliated with Angelos Akotantos. Most of his work stylistically follows the traditional maniera greca. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were also painters. He was one of the most influential painters of the Cretan school along with Andreas Pavias and Angelos Akotantos. He influenced the works of

Georgios Klontzas Georgios Klontzas (; 1535–1608), also known as George Klontzas or Zorzi Cloza dito Cristianopullo, was a Greek scholar and painter of the Cretan school, Cretan Renaissance. He is one of the most influential artists of the post-Byzantine period, ...

, Nikolaos Tzafouris, Theophanes the Cretan, Michael Damaskinos and

El Greco Doménikos Theotokópoulos (, ; 1 October 1541 7 April 1614), most widely known as El Greco (; "The Greek"), was a Greek painter, sculptor and architect of the Spanish Renaissance, regarded as one of the greatest artists of all time. ...

. According to the Institute for Neohellenic Research, sixty of his paintings have survived.

Biography

Andreas Ritzos was born in

Iraklio Heraklion or Herakleion ( ; , , ), sometimes Iraklion, is the largest city and the administrative capital city, capital of the island of Crete and capital of Heraklion (regional unit), Heraklion regional unit. It is the fourth largest city in G ...

. His father Nicholas Ritzo was a seaman and jeweler, and his mother was lady Ergina. Andreas married Maria and had two sons. His son Nicholas was a painter. His other son Thomas was a jeweler and painter. His grandson was painter Maneas Ritzos. Andreas is listed as a painter for the first time on July 27, 1451 as ''Andreas Ritzos pinctor''. Records indicate that in 1454 his co-worker Maneas Theologitis vouched for him. Documents indicate he was active as a painter between 1460 and 1492. He was also associated with other painters namely George Pelergi and Ioanni Kappadoka. In one document he testifies to the delivery of items from John Akatanos and in another, he received a loan from Andreas Pavias. His wife Maria died around 1482. He split the inheritance with his son Nicholas. His second marriage was with Nicola Gritti of Agnese. He signed his paintings three different ways; five of his icons were signed in Greek ''χείρ Ανδρέα Ρέτζου'', three were signed ''Andreas Rico de Candia pinxit'', and finally one was signed ''Andreas Ricio de Candia''. Stathi, 2007, p. 18-21 A significant amount of Madonna and Child paintings by Andreas Ritzos survived. Many painters chose the subject matter but

Duccio Duccio di Buoninsegna ( , ; – ), commonly known as just Duccio, was an Italian painter active in Siena, Tuscany, in the late 13th and early 14th century. He was hired throughout his life to complete many important works in government and religi ...

Cimabue Giovanni Cimabue ( , ; – 1302), Translated with an introduction and notes by J.C. and P Bondanella. Oxford: Oxford University Press (Oxford World's Classics), 1991, pp. 7–14. . also known as Cenni di Pepo or Cenni di Pepi, was an Italian p ...

Fra Angelico Fra Angelico, O.P. (; ; born Guido di Pietro; 18 February 1455) was a Dominican friar and Italian Renaissance painter of the Early Renaissance, described by Giorgio Vasari in his ''Lives of the Artists'' as having "a rare and perfect talent" ...

, and

Giotto di Bondone Giotto di Bondone (; – January 8, 1337), known mononymously as Giotto, was an Italian painter and architect from Florence during the Late Middle Ages. He worked during the Gothic and Proto-Renaissance period. Giotto's contemporary, the ba ...

employed a similar mannerism exemplifying the maniera greca. Most artists of the

began to employ some attributes of the Venetian school. One greek artist of Venice Ioannis Permeniates completely adopted a new style of painting which was in line with the Venetian school. Ritzos popularity shows that both Italian and Greek patrons continued to value the maniera greca and preferred the traditional style. Many paintings were attributed to the school of Ritzos because they were not signed and resemble the artist's painting style. There were countless Madonna and Child paintings for comparison. Angelos Akotantos influenced Andreas Pavias and Andreas Ritzos. Andreas Pavias and Ritzos influenced each other both employ the traditional rich gold background but Pavias began to employ the Venetian school. The ''Virgin and Child with Crucifixion Narrative'' and the ''Ascension of Christ'' in the gallery are precursors to

and Theodore Poulakis ''All Creation rejoices in Thee.'' Andreas Pavias ''Crucifixion of Jesus'' is another popular work that influenced

and Theodore Poulakis ''All Creation rejoices in Thee.'' Ritzos ''Ascension of Christ'' separates the scenes into different compartments while Andreas Pavias ''Crucifixion of Jesus'' utilizes countless figures.

''Transfiguration and Monastic Scenes'' 1603, is similar to Ritzos ''Acension of Christ''.

Gallery

File:Dormition of Theotokos Andreas Ritzos.jpg, The Dormition of the Virgin File:Virgin of the Passion, by Andrea Rico di Candia, Cretan, 1451-1492, tempera on wood panel - Princeton University Art Museum - DSC06640.jpg, Mother and Child File:Andreas Ritzos - The Mother of God Enthroned - WGA19509.jpg, The Mother of God Enthroned File:Andreas Ritzos - Mother of God Enthroned - WGA19510.jpg, The Mother of God Enthroned File:Ritzos Andreas - The Virgin and Child enthroned - Google Art Project (721008).jpg, The Virgin and Child with Crucifixion Narrative File:Andreas Ritzos - The Dormition of the Virgin - WGA19508.jpg, The Dormition of the Virgin File:Ritzos Andreas - The Virgin and Child enthroned - Google Art Project.jpg, Triptych Left to Right, Saint Nicholas with Saints, Virgin and Child, Saint Nicholas with Saints File:Jesus Hominum Salvator by Andreas Ritzos (Byzantine museum).jpg, Crucifixion and Resurrection Scenes within a Christogram File:Andreas Ritzos - Icon- Ascension of Christ with the Hetoimasia - Google Art Project.jpg, Ascension of Christ File:St. John the Theologian (3443916347).jpg, Saint John the Theologian File:Ritzos Andreas - Two scenes from the life of St John the Divine - Google Art Project.jpg, Scene from the Life of St John the Divine

Italian Style

File:Dormition of Mary with Francis and Dominic (School of Andreas Ritzos, 15 c.) 01.jpg, Dormition of Mary with Francis and Dominic File:Madonna con Bambino in trono by Andreos Ritzos - Hermitage.jpg, Madonna with Saints

References

External links

Byzantium: faith and power (1261-1557)
an exhibition catalog from The Metropolitan Museum of Art (fully available online as PDF), which contains material on Ritzos {{DEFAULTSORT:Ritzos, Andreas Cretan Renaissance painters 1492 deaths 1421 births Artists from Heraklion 15th-century Greek painters Greek icon painters

Biography

Gallery

Italian Style

See also

References

External links