Onufri or Onouphrios of Neokastro (Greek: Ονούφριος) was a 16th century icon painter active in Central and Southern Albania and South-western Macedonia.[1] His works are characterized by post-Byzantine and Venetian influences. He also painted portraits, landscapes and churches.[2][3]
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Little is known with certainty about Onufri's life and his existence only emerged in the early 20th century. Regarding his birthplace only an inscription in the Holy Apostles church, near Kastoria has survived. Onufri is believed to have been born in the early 16th century either in the region of Berat (in today's Albania) or near Kastoria or Grevena (in today's northern Greece),[4] while his ethnic background, whether Albanian or Greek, is disputed among scholars.[5] The epithet Argitis, which appears in a fresco near Kastoria may point to Argos (southern Greece) as his place of birth, although as he used it only once it is regarded probable that it refers to a location in the area of Kastoria.[4][6] In the climate of the time, the painting of Christian icons can be seen as an act to restore pre-Ottoman culture.[7] He was active in Berat and possibly Venice until 1547. Then he worked in both Berat and Kastoria and in 1555, in Shelcan near Elbasan. He may have also been the painter of various murals in the church of St. Nicholas near Prilep(Republic of Macedonia).[8] After 1554, he lived and painted in the village of Valsh. His works were signed with the title "Protopapas" (Greek: Πρωτόπαππας), demonstrating a senior position in the church hierarchy.
Onufri introduced greater realism and individuality into facial expressions, breaking with the strict conventions of the time. He was the first to introduce the colour pink into icon painting. The secret of this colour was not passed on and died with him. His work is noted for the intense use of colours and the use of natural dyes.[9] According to Georgios Golobias the works of Onufri were significantly influenced by western art, as a result of his possible stay in Venice, being a member of the local Greek fraternity. On the other hand, Manolis Chatzidakis claims that western traces are few and they can be explained due to the contact with the paintings of the Cretan School.[10]
Onufri founded a school of painting in Berat, which was passed on to his son Nikolla, upon his death, and by Onouphrios Cypriotes and Kostandin Shpataraku.
Many of his paintings are stored and displayed at the Onufri Iconographic Museum in a former church in the old town of Berat.
"The Resurrection of Lazarus." Byzantine icon painted by Onufri (Onouphrios), 16th cent. Museum of Mediaeval Art in Korça.
Mary and Child. Icon by Onufri (Onuphrios). 16th century.
Icon by Onufri. Cathedral of Berat.
Icon of the Apostle Saint Peter, painted by Nikolla, son of Onufri, second half of 16th century. Today Onufri-Museum Berat.
The Roman Emperor Constantine I with his mother Helena of Constantinople, who has found the relic of the holy cross in Jerusalem. Icon painted by Nikolla, son of Onufri, in the St. Mary of Blachernae Church, Berat (Albania), second half of 16th century.
Inside the belly of a beast made of flesh and steel
My flesh and blood no longer seem so real
Inside this war machine that has blurred my sight
Distorting my vision of what's wrong or right
Blistering speed with a barrage of no mercy
Is the only thing fueling me to breathe
I am the future breed created through pure insanity
Simply shut off it I decide to think
I am the war machine
Forced to lead, bleed the weak
Lead by wicked hearts full of deceit
The war machine
Blistering speed with a barrage of no mercy
Is the only thing fueling me to breathe
I am the war machine
Forced to lead, bleed the weak
Lead by wicked hearts full of deceit
The war machine
All guns are locked and loaded
I am the weapon of mass destruction
This is the Armageddon of man
The time has come to unleash the master plan
Devastation and the ruins of man
Barren lands and blood soaked hands
Seek and destroy all survivors, nothing left but sand
I am the future breed created through pure insanity
Simply shut off it I decide to think
I am the war machine
Forced to lead, bleed the weak
Lead by wicked hearts full of deceit