Reinforcement of princely Gavras power on Mangup and Crimean Orthodox populace consolidation in the Theodoro principality entailed the new tendencies in the art of the XIVth century. Churchwardens from princely dynasty were strongly attracted by classical metropolitan style of Palaeologus Empire.

 

The wonderful example of this acculturation is the painting in the Church of Donators in Cherkes-Kermen. According the opinion of researchers, is was inspired with frescoes and mosaics of the famous Chora monastery in Constantinople dated by the twenties of XIVth century.  Images of Martyrs   have got the aristocratic lines and frescoes with their emotionally deep tones go back to the best metropolitan model undoubtedly. Meanwhile the composition of the painting remains very archaic and associates with oriental influence.

 

In imitation of Byzantine Emperors and other rulers of Byzantine world the images of princely family representatives appear in church.

One more example of the fresco painting of the XIVth century was discovered in December 2004 during the archaeological excavations near the Genoese fortress Chembalo in Balaklava . Archeologists and art historians date this fresco back to the beginning of the XIVth century. That time the fortress in Balaklava belonged to Genoa but the town was populated mostly by the Greeks.  One of their churches was dedicated to the Mother of God.  It is possible that the fresco was here.

Part 2. The Palaeologus Renaissance                                   Part 4. The XV-th century

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