Elias Moskos

Ilias or Elias Moskos (; 1620/1629- January 26, 1687) was a Greek educator, shipping merchant and painter from Crete. The last name Moskos was associated with three famous painters of the Cretan school alive during the same period, along with Ioannis Moskos and Leos Moskos, possibly his relatives. Elias incorporated maniera greca with the Venetian style. Theodore Poulakis and Moskos brought the art and style of Crete into the Heptanese school of the Ionian Islands. Some of his work was inspired by Angelos Akotantos. He was affiliated with other artists such as Philotheos Skoufos. He is often confused with Leos Moskos. His son was not Ioannis Moskos although they were probably related. Elias most popular painting is Christ Pantocrator. Fifty-two of his paintings survived.

History Elias was born in Rethymno, Crete. His father's name was Ioannis. He was a painter, shipping merchant, and teacher. He eventually married and had two children George and Maria. Two other painters were active during this period with the same last name. Ioannis Moskos and Leos Moskos they may have been related. He migrated to the Ionian islands. He was active on the island of Zakynthos and Kefalonia. Luckily, he signed many of his icons. According to Venetian records, in 1649 he taught painting to Symeon Maroudas. That same year he agreed to paint scenes in different spaces inside the church Agios Theodore in Katastari, namely the pillars.

He began to employ Italian mannerism. This is apparent in Jacobs Latter. The artist creates clear foreground and background. His use of color is also different from the traditional Greek mannerism. Theodore Poulakis is considered the father of Heptanese school because of his drastic transition to the new style of painting but Moskos is also an important member of the transition to the more refined style of the Heptanese school of the Ionian Islands. Philotheos Skoufos was a witness in a legal document for Moskos in 1677. The evidence indicates both artists interacted. Elias is sometimes confused with Leos Moskos.

Elias painted his famous piece Christ Pantocrator in the Ionian Islands. The icon is housed in the Icon Museum Recklinghausen. The museum contains the largest Orthodox Style art collection outside of the Orthodox world.

Gallery

Notable works Christ Enthroned (Moskos) 1653 Birth of Jesus Christ 1658 Benaki Museum Burial of John the Evangelist 1653 Collection of Lichacev, Ermitage: Saint Petersburg, Russia Tryphon Donja Lastra, Boka Kotorska Dalmatia Croatia Icon of Jesus Museo Correr, Venice Italy The Vision of Constantine 1678 Virgin and Child on Bronze (Moskos) Jacob’s Ladder (Moskos) The Dormition and Assumption of the Virgin