Manuel Fokas (; 1400 – after 1454), also known as Manuele Fuca, was a

Byzantine Greek Medieval Greek (also known as Middle Greek, Byzantine Greek, or Romaic; Greek: ) is the stage of the Greek language between the end of classical antiquity in the 5th–6th centuries and the end of the Middle Ages, conventionally dated to the F ...

painter. Most of his frescos have survived until today. Three churches in Crete containing Fokas's frescos are Saint George, Emparaso, Agios Konstantinos Avdou, and Saint George Apano Symi. Artists from

Heraklion 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 ...

that his work influenced include:

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. ...

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, ...

and

Michael Damaskinos Michael Damaskenos or Michail Damaskenos (also Damaskinos) (, 1530/35–1592/93) was a leading post-Byzantine Cretan painter. He is a major representative of the Cretan School of painting that flourished in the 16th and 17th centuries. Pain ...

History

Manuel was born in

. His father's name was Stamatis. His brother was painter Ioannis Fokas; they worked together. The entire family was known for mural painting. Both artists were also affiliated with Michael and Georgios Fokas. The family was also associated with painter Andreas Pavias. The family name

Phokas Phocas (; ; 5475 October 610) was Eastern Roman emperor from 602 to 610. Initially a middle-ranking officer in the Roman army, Phocas rose to prominence as a spokesman for dissatisfied soldiers in their disputes with the court of the Emperor ...

was important during the Byzantine Empire. The Phokas name changed to Kallergis during the Venetian dominion over Crete. Manuel and his family were well-known Fresco painters during the 15th and 16th centuries in Crete. Fokas painted frescos in three churches between 1436 and 1454. The first church he frescoed was Saint George (Agios Georgios) in Emparaso, Heraklion, Crete. His signature "διά χειρός έμοϋ άμαθη Μανουήλ (by the hand of humbled Manuel)" can be found in the first church. The frescos consist of the rising of

Lazarus Lazarus may refer to: People *Lazarus (name), a surname and a given name * Lazarus of Bethany, a Biblical figure described as being raised from the dead by Jesus * Lazarus, a Biblical figure from the parable of the Rich man and Lazarus * Lazar ...

and the

Resurrection of Jesus The resurrection of Jesus () is Christianity, Christian belief that God in Christianity, God Resurrection, raised Jesus in Christianity, Jesus from the dead on the third day after Crucifixion of Jesus, his crucifixion, starting—or Preexis ...

. In a detail of the Pentecost, there is also a man who symbolizes the world with twelve scrolls. The date on the murals is between 1436 and 1437. The second church Manuel was associated with was Agios Konstantinos in Avdou Pediados, Heraklion Crete. He frescoed the church with his brother Ioannis The signature poem found at the location was: "διά χειρός κάμοΰ ά(μαρτ)ολοϋ καί άτέχνον Μανονήλ καί 'Ιωάννου των Φωκάδων. Εύχεστε υπέρ υμών διά τόν Κύριον (by the hand of a sinner and humbled artist Manuel and Ioannis Fokas. Wish you well in the name of the Lord)". They painted in the typical style of the period. The church features frescos of the Virgin Mary. They are in good condition, some parts were not well preserved. The second church serves as a demonstration of the final period in the

palaeologan renaissance The Palaeologan Renaissance or Palaiologan Renaissance is the final period in the development of Byzantine art. Coinciding with the reign of the Palaiologoi, the last dynasty to rule the Byzantine Empire (1261–1453), it was an attempt to restor ...

. The date on the murals is between 1445 and 1446. The final church with his signature was Saint George (Agios Georgios), Apano Symi, Viannos, Heraklion, Crete. This work took place after the fall of the Byzantine Empire. He records the event in his signature poem: "μετά την άλωσιν της Κωνσταντινουπόλεως διά χειρός Φωκά Μανουήλ (after the fall of Constantinople by the hand of Fokas Manuel)". The third church is wonderfully preserved. Frescos of the Pantocrator, the Crucifixion, and the Twelve Apostles are clearly visible. The Crucifixion bears similarities to the work of Thessaloniki master Georgios Kalliergis. The date on the murals was after 1453.

Painting style

Some of his work resembled the traditional prototype of Greek-Italian Byzantine art. His work resembled the technique of Georgios Kalliergis, he may have been one of his descendants. Some of the frescos exhibit similarities. Four figures surround the Crucifixion of Christ, there are also planets in the background of both paintings. The figure of Christ and his stance are far too similar. The direct similarities of Georgios Kalliergis and Fokas's work create a substantial argument for a familial relationship.

Ioannis Pagomenos Ioannis Pagomenos (, c.1285–after 1340) was a Greek painter in the Byzantine style active in Venetian-ruled Crete. He created fresco cycles for rural Orthodox churches under commission from ordinary members of the local peasant communities, w ...

's frescos can also be compared to the work of the Fokas family. Pagomenos completed many frescos on the same island. Other local artists such as

Theophanes the Cretan Theophanis Strelitzas (; 1490–1559), also known as Theophanes the Cretan () or Theophanes Bathas (), was a Greek painter of icons and frescos in the style of the Cretan school. He passed much of his career as a member of the monastic community ...

testify to the influence of the craftsmanship of Byzantine masters. Pavias's

Crucifixion Crucifixion is a method of capital punishment in which the condemned is tied or nailed to a large wooden cross, beam or stake and left to hang until eventual death. It was used as a punishment by the Achaemenid Empire, Persians, Ancient Carthag ...

also was influenced by local Cretan artists and the new movement in Italian art. Italian painters

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 Giotto di Bondone (; – January 8, 1337), known mononymously as Giotto, was an List of Italian painters, Italian painter and architect from Florence during the Late Middle Ages. He worked during the International Gothic, Gothic and Italian Ren ...

painted in a similar style. Clearly, Fokas influenced countless Greek and Italian painters. Some of the artists included Emmanuel Lambardos, Antonios Papadopoulos, and

Angelos Pitzamanos Angelos Pitzamanos (; 1467–1535) was a Greek Renaissance painter. The artist is sometimes referred to as Angelos Bitzamanos. He was born in Crete and migrated to Otranto, Southern Italy, where he did most of his work. A contract between Andreas ...

Gallery

Church of Saint George, Emparaso Site

File:Manuel Fokas Ascension of Christ.png, Ascension of Christ File:Manuel Fokas Close Up of Ascension of Christ.png, Close Up of Ascension of Christ File:Manuel Fokas Raising of Lazarus.png, Raising of Lazarus File:Manuel Fokas Close Up Raising of Lazarus.png, Close Up Raising of Lazarus

Church of Agios Konstantinos Avdou Pediados Site

File:Ναός Αγίου Κωνσταντίνου, Αβδού 7639.jpg, Fresco with the Virgin Mary

Church of Saint George Apano Symi Site

File:Manuel Fokas Twelve Apostles.png, Twelve Apostles

References

Bibliography

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Fokas, Manuel Cretan Renaissance painters People from Heraklion 15th-century Greek painters Greek Renaissance humanists Byzantine painters 15th-century births 15th-century deaths Fresco painters