Overview

• Court handwriting expert Christina Sotirakoglou linked a 14th-century manuscript to inscriptions on Byzantine church paintings traditionally attributed to Panselinos.
• The research identifies Ioannis Astrapas, a prominent member of the Macedonian School of painting, as the likely real identity behind the pseudonym Panselinos, meaning 'full moon' in Greek.
• Panselinos' works, renowned for their blend of classical proportions and Orthodox spirituality, are considered masterpieces of late Byzantine art.
• The findings were based on stylistic comparisons of Greek letters, despite Sotirakoglou being restricted to photographic evidence due to Mount Athos' long-standing ban on women.
• Scholars acknowledge the breakthrough but note further investigation is needed to fully understand Astrapas' contributions and other artists' roles in the Protato church paintings.