16th-century artists Cretan School

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.