Α. Σταυροπούλου, "Παρατηρήσεις στις τοιχογραφίες της Μονής Ελεούσας στο Νησί των Ιωαννίνων", Μοναστήρια Νήσου Ιωαννίνων Πρακτικά Συμποσίου, ed. Μίλτος Γαρίδης -Αθανάσιος Παλιούρας, Ιωάννινα 1999, σσ. 315-342 (original) (raw)

“Observations on the frescoes of the Monastery of Eleousa on the Ioannina Island”, Monasteries of the Ioannina Island, Proceedings of the Sypmosium, 700 years (1292-1992), 29-31 May 1992, Ioannina 1999, p. 315-323, img. 1-32 The objective of this study is a preliminary examination of the oldest phase of the decoration of the nave/katholikon of the Monastery of Panagia Eleousa, which is located on the western side of the Island, in close proximity to the monasteries of Philanthropenon and Strategopoulou. These frescoes, which cover the area from the eastern section to the arch of the church, have not been studied as of yet. A first approach to the subject was included in the Thesis of the present scholar. In this group of paintings, the composition of the program, the distribution of the subject matter on the wall surfaces, the iconographical figures and, in particular, the style of the frescoes reveal multifaceted, multimodal relations with the art of the other important monasteries of the Island and with those which bear the marks of the artistic output of the Kontaris brothers in particular. Elements which reveal the multiple bonds between the decoration of the churches of the Transfiguration and in particular of St. Demetrios in Veltsista with the monastery of Eleousa, can be discerned in the choice of iconographical repertory, the narrative development of the Christological cycle and the emphasis placed on the Resurrection and the Passion. At the same time, the stylistic analysis of the frescoes, with their flexibility of design, vibrant colors, and sculpted and compound features allowed the induction of this monastery within the output of a particular artistic workshop of the late 16th century, that of the Kontaris brothers.