16th century Cretan School

about 120 artists can documented working in candia (the venetian name of chandax, present day herakleion), in period 1453–1526, , had organized schuola di san luca painter s guild, based on italian model. blending of eastern , western traditions, , relaxed interchange between greek orthodox , roman catholic rites led cretan renaissance , golden period arts on island, both literature , painting flourished. of these painters chose continue byzantine tradition of constantinople, while others influenced masters of venetian renaissance, such giovanni bellini , titian. later veronese particular influence. works these masters or copies in monasteries , churches of island, while examples of netherlandish painting decorated catholic churches of candia or found in private collections of rich venetians , greeks. in particular, candia contained large franciscan church , large orthodox monastery, daughter-house of saint catherine s monastery, both of had strong collections respective traditions.

contemporary documents refer 2 styles in painting: maniera greca (alla greca, in line byzantine idiom) , maniera latina (alla latina, in accordance western techniques), artists knew , utilized according circumstances; result kind of eclecticism appeared. indeed, both styles found in same icon, 1 right next other. fame of prominent cretan painters spread throughout greece, mediterranean , europe. after beginning of 16th century, cretan artists once again had more commissions , works avidly sought, since had started use new motives , adjust iconography new trends of era. extent quantity replaced quality compared previous century.

16th-century artists

scenes of christ s passion triptych georgios klontzas (the right wing lost)

apart el greco, famous cretan artists during century theophanis strelitzas (Θεοφάνης Στρελίτζας), known theophanes cretan, michael damaskenos (Μιχαήλ Δαμασκηνός), , georgios klontzas (Γεώργιος Κλόντζας). various members of lambardos family significant artists. fortunately art historians, many cretan painters adopted practice, perhaps western painters, of signing work, not traditional byzantine practice.

theophanes cretan relatively conservative cretan artist, first dated work 1527, , of known works done on mainland or smaller islands. important greek wall painter of day, incorporating western iconographic , stylistic elements, remaining byzantine in spirit.

the intellectual , artistic personality of young el greco formed in artistic environment. in 1563, @ age of twenty-two, el greco described in document master ( maestro domenigo ), meaning enrolled master of local guild, presumably in charge of own workshop. left venice few years later, , never returned crete. dormition of virgin, of before 1567 in tempera , gold on panel (61,4 x 45 cm, holy cathedral of dormition of virgin, hermoupolis, syros) created near end of el greco s cretan period. painting combines post-byzantine , italian mannerist stylistic , iconographic elements, , incorporates stylistic elements of cretan school.

during second half of 16th century, many cretan artists went venice, in hope of gaining commissions , recognition. unlike el greco, other cretan painters moved there did not substantially alter styles or working methods. incorporated more italian motifs consistent byzantine framework. jonathan brown provides perceptive analysis of ways el greco distinguished himself other cretan artists active in venice, while richard mann argues none of these painters accepted renaissance ideas relevance of change creation of art works . michael damaskenos returned crete after 3 years, , remained there rest of life.