# Theophanes the Greek

> Byzantine-Russian artist (c.1340-c.1410)

**Wikidata**: [Q319403](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q319403)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theophanes_the_Greek)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/theophanes-the-greek

## Summary
Theophanes the Greek was a Byzantine-Russian artist active between c. 1340 and c. 1410, known for his contributions to icon painting. He is primarily recognized for creating notable religious icons, including *Our Lady of the Don* (1382) and *Theotokos of Tolga* (1314), which are among his most celebrated works.

## Biography
- Born: c. 1340
- Nationality: Byzantine (later associated with Russia)
- Education: Not specified
- Known for: Icon painting and religious art
- Employer(s): Not specified
- Field(s): Iconography, Byzantine art

## Contributions
Theophanes the Greek is known for creating two major religious icons:
- *Our Lady of the Don* (1382), a significant Byzantine icon.
- *Theotokos of Tolga* (1314), another notable icon in his oeuvre.

## FAQs
**What is Theophanes the Greek known for?**
Theophanes the Greek is known for his icon paintings, particularly *Our Lady of the Don* (1382) and *Theotokos of Tolga* (1314), which are among his most celebrated works.

**Where was Theophanes the Greek active?**
Theophanes the Greek was active in the Byzantine Empire and later associated with Russia, though specific locations are not detailed in the source material.

**What other names is Theophanes the Greek known by?**
He is also known by the aliases Feofan, Pheofan, Feofan Grek, Teofan, and Theophanēs.

## Why They Matter
Theophanes the Greek's contributions to Byzantine and Russian iconography have left a lasting impact on religious art. His works, such as *Our Lady of the Don* and *Theotokos of Tolga*, are considered significant in the tradition of icon painting, influencing later artists and preserving Byzantine artistic techniques.

## Notable For
- Created *Our Lady of the Don* (1382), a major Byzantine icon.
- Authored *Theotokos of Tolga* (1314), another notable icon.
- Recognized as a key figure in Byzantine iconography.

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Theophanes the Greek was born around 1340 and was active during the late medieval period. His exact origins are not specified, but he is associated with the Byzantine Empire and later with Russia. He is known by multiple aliases, including Feofan, Pheofan, and Theophanēs.

### Career and Works
Theophanes the Greek is primarily known for his icon paintings. His most notable works include:
- *Our Lady of the Don* (1382), a significant Byzantine icon.
- *Theotokos of Tolga* (1314), another celebrated icon in his oeuvre.

### Influence and Legacy
Theophanes the Greek's contributions to iconography have had a lasting impact on Byzantine and Russian religious art. His works are still studied and admired for their craftsmanship and artistic significance. The crater Theophanes on Mercury is named in his honor, highlighting his broader cultural influence.

### Later Life and Death
Theophanes the Greek died around 1410, though specific details about his later years are not provided. His death marked the end of an era in Byzantine icon painting, with his legacy continuing to be celebrated in religious and artistic circles.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. [The Fine Art Archive](https://cs.isabart.org/person/161330)
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. Faceted Application of Subject Terminology
5. Athenaeum
6. Integrated Authority File
7. Union List of Artist Names
8. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=Teofane%20il%20Greco)
11. CERL Thesaurus
12. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File