"A Comparative Approach to Artistic Techniques: Frescoes in the Monasteries of St. Mary of Driano, Prophet Elia in Jorgucat, and St. Cyricus and Julitta in Dhuvjan (Dropulli Region "Albania)

Edlira Çaushi
University of Tirana (Department of Archaeology and Culture Heritage)

Abstract

Previous research on the execution techniques of mural paintings, as well as the analysis of materials used, have identified similarities among the workshops and individuals in the churches and monasteries of the Drino Valley. This resemblance is observed among the workshops of Gramoz Mountain, which have been widely active in this area. The same can be said for painters originating from the Ionian Islands, where the techniques not only bear similarities among them but also remain faithful to tradition, even considering precursor painters. There have been very few research studies focused on the artistic techniques employed in the realization of post-Byzantine frescoes in Albania thus far. In this article, we will attempt to analyze the techniques of a painter from the 16th century, who was also a monk. Nikephoros is distinguished by several quite different characteristics, not only in style but also in terms of artistic techniques. The internal walls of the naos of the Prophet Elias monastery above the village of Jorgucat are the only works he signed. The features and similarities of the preparatory phases of the frescoes, among the church of Jorgucat and two others—the church of the Dhuvjani monastery and that of Driano—will be the focus of this article. These three monasteries are located in the Dropulli district.

Presentation