After Priest-Monk Parthenios from Elasso (Greek 18th Century) Panoramic View of Meteora with its Monasteries

After Priest-Monk Parthenios, from Elasso (Greek, 18th Century) Panoramic View of Meteora with its Monasteries, 19th century reproduction (original plate conceived 1782). Engraving on paper, 19 x 26 in. (48.2 x 66.4 cm), framed. Condition: Good. Literature: Maddrell, Avril, Christian Pilgrimage, Landscape and Heritage: Journeying to the Sacred , pp. 51-53. N.B. Parthenios was a monk in the monastery of the Transfiguration, Meteora, the highest, largest and oldest of the monasteries of the Meteora. Orthodox paper icons flourished from the 17th to late 19th century. They depict saints or religious scenes, and often include panoramic views of monasteries, and representations of the monastery's patron saints, thaumaturgical icons and miracles connected with them. Though important in the history of graphic arts in the Balkans, relatively few of these prints have survived (the authoritative catalogue by D Papastratou, first published in 1986, lists 618 items). It was only in the late 19th century, with the revival of interest in folk art, that they became collectable. (1) 1. British Library, "Greek Orthodox Paper Icons in the British Library – their purpose, style and iconography", online source.