El Greco and Cretan Painting in Focus at Venice's Palazzo Ducale

The exhibition titled 'L’oro dipinto. El Greco e la pittura tra Creta e Venezia' at Palazzo Ducale in Venice delves into the artistic exchange between Crete and the Venetian Republic from the early 15th to the late 18th century. Showcasing over 150 pieces, including 30 from Greece, it emphasizes the blend of Byzantine and Western art through notable artists such as El Greco, Georgios Klontzas, and Michael Damaskinos. Organized into seven sections, it features a documentary segment. Following the fall of the Byzantine Empire in 1453, many artists migrated to Crete, merging Gothic and Renaissance influences. Prominent figures include Andreas Ritzos and Nikolaos Tzafouris. El Greco, who trained in Crete, relocated to Venice around 1567, producing works like 'Flight into Egypt' and 'Saint Peter.' Venetian control concluded in 1669.