East of the Renaissance: The Cretan School in Venice

A major exhibition at Venice’s Palazzo Ducale explores the artistic legacy of the Cretan School, tracing its development from the Palaeologan Renaissance to the fusion of Byzantine and Venetian styles.

Titled “Painted Gold: El Greco and the Art Between Crete and Venice,” the show spans 150 works across six galleries and is co-organised by the Greek Ministry of Culture, the Byzantine and Christian Museum, and the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia.

Structured chronologically, the exhibition begins with 14th-century icons influenced by classical revivalism and follows the evolution of post-Byzantine art through prominent figures like Angelos Akotantos, Andreas Ritzos, and Michael Damaskinos. Central to the narrative is Domenikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco), who left Crete for Venice in 1567, rejecting traditional techniques in favor of Venetian mannerism.

The exhibition marks a significant collaboration, with Greek institutions contributing 26 key works. It highlights the deep, often overlooked cultural exchange that shaped early modern European art. 

Source: ekathimerini.com