[Usogwdkb]

As a practising iconographer, I believe that putting 'written by the hand of ...." does highlight the truth that the iconographer's hand was guided by the Holy Spirit... and Icons do reveal the truth.

However, I do like to write it as subtle as possible by selecting a colour just slightly lighter than the colour underneath. Thus it is only visible to someone looking for it.

My guide for things like this is to look at the masters like Photios Kontoglou - an iconographer who was greatly responsible for the resurgence of Byzantine Iconography in the last century.

As for putting the names of the Icon donor on the icons, I'm not a big fan. Personally I like to think the person will get the reward from God.

However, to put the name on the rear, for 'In Memory' or for the 'Donor' seems more humble. I saw an instance where a parish priest approached the 'son' of a donor (as labelled on the icon) to update an icon.

Peter