Theophanes the Greek

Theophanes the Greek (Russian: Феофан Грек, romanized: Feofan Grek; Greek: Θεοφάνης; c. 1330/1340 – c. 1410) was a Byzantine Greek artist, active mainly in Russia.

He greatly influenced the style of painting in Novgorod and Moscow in the 15th century. He is also known as being the teacher and mentor of Andrei Rublev, the greatest Russian icon painter of his time.

Theophanes was from Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. According to a letter by Epiphanius the Wise, Theophanes painted churches in Constantinople, Chalcedon, Galata and Kaffa before moving to Russia. He moved to Novgorod in 1370. Early records mention several fresco cycles by him, but only a portion of one remains, located in the Church of the Transfiguration in Novgorod (1378). The surviving fragment stands as one of the finest examples of medieval Russian art and showcases his unique version of the Byzantine style that he brought to Russia.

His style is considered unsurpassed in expression achieved by almost mono-colored painting.