Ο Δομήνικος Θεοτοκόπουλος (el Greco), από το Χάνδακα στη Βενετία. Ανέκδοτα έγγραφα (1566-1568) (πίν. 40-42)

Part of : Δελτίον της Χριστιανικής Αρχαιολογικής Εταιρείας ; Vol.26, 1976, pages 55-72

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55-72
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Domenikos Theotokopoulos (el Greco) from Candia to Venice : Unpublished Documents (1566-1568) (pl. 40-42)
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Articles
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The documents published here broaden our hitherto limited knowledge of the early phase in the career of the great Greek artist DomenikosTheotokopoulos, by making available more details concerning the dates ofhis passing from Candia to Venice.The first document (doc. A', dated 26/27 December 1566) throwslight on El Greco's artistic achievements in his native Candia. This activivyhas until now been an object of debate for art historians and critics.With this document the painter applies to the Duke of Crete and is grantedpermission to draw a lottery on one of his works, an icon representing thePassion of Christ, painted on golden background. Two painters mentionedin the document, the hitherto unknown priest John De Frossego and thefamous Cretan artist George Klontzas, estimate the painting value up toeighty and seventy ducats respectively. The evidence of the document suggests that the young Theotokopoulos had achieved considerable distinctionbefore leaving Crete.Document Γ', dated 18 August 1568, is an order of the Duke ofCandia to Manolis Dacypris, called Matzapetas, to deliver some designs sentby Dominikos Theotokopoulos from Venice, to Tzortzis Sideros (Sideris)called Calapodas, a well known cartographer of Candia.In addition document B', dated 12 July 1567, refers to the painter'sbrother Manoussos Theotokopoulos, who is involved in a quarrel with thepresident of the painters' guild in Candia over the retention of certainobjects belonging to the guild. From this it might be concluded that Manoussos was acting on behalf of his brother who had already departedfrom Crete.The above documents enable us to be more precise in our conjecturesconcerning the dates of Domenikos Theotokopoulos' departure from Crete,by showing that he was still in Candia at least through the end of 1566and that he had settled in Venice before August 18, 1568.
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