Ioannis Pagomenos

Ioannis Pagomenos
Virgin Mary by Ioannis Pagomenos
Born	c.1285 Candia, Crete (?)
Died	after 1340 Crete (?)
Nationality	Greek
Style	Byzantine

Ioannis Pagomenos (Greek: Ιωάννης Παγωμένος, c.1285^[1]–after 1340) was a Greek painter in the Byzantine style active in Venetian-ruled Crete. He created fresco cycles for rural Orthodox churches under commission from ordinary members of the local peasant communities, who acted as collective patrons. While he could be considered a forerunner to the Cretan School, which saw success in producing hybrid-style icons for an international clientele, his work was more traditional in character and only incorporated Western influences in secondary details, as it catered to regional tastes.^[2][3] His style nonetheless shows significant development over the years.^[4] His frescos survive in four districts of the Chania prefecture, with the majority in the mountainous province of Selino, which displays the highest density of church painting in Crete.^[5] His art influenced Andreas Pavias, Angelos Akotantos, Andreas Ritzos, and Nikolaos Tzafouris.^{[citation needed]} By 1337/8 Pagomenos was working together with his son Nikolaos within the framework of a small family workshop of painters, other examples of which are known from contemporary Crete and the Aegean.^[6][7][8]