A golden thread connects Venice and Crete, weaving together centuries of art, diplomacy, and devotion. The exhibition “L’Oro Dipinto. El Greco e la pittura tra Creta e Venezia” (Painted Gold. El Greco and painting between Crete and Venice) explores the artistic exchanges between these two great islands, where the luminosity of painted gold became a bridge between the Byzantine and Western worlds.
From Byzantine Tradition to Venetian Brilliance
Following the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, Candia (modern-day Heraklion) emerged as the center of Byzantine artistic heritage. Over a hundred icon workshops thrived, preserving time-honored techniques, while Venetian influence gradually introduced elements of Renaissance naturalism.
El Greco: The Visionary Iconographer
The exhibition’s focal point is Dominikos Theotokopoulos, El Greco (1541–1614). Born in Crete and trained in the post-Byzantine tradition, he arrived in Venice around 1567, absorbing Titian’s colorism and the dramatic intensity of Mannerism, before later developing his iconic, expressive style.
A Journey Through Seven Sections
Through a carefully curated chronological path, visitors will witness the transformation of iconography, culminating in the dynamic synthesis that shaped Venetian and European painting.
International Collaboration
This remarkable exhibition is the result of a prestigious collaboration between the MUVE Foundation, the Republic of Greece, and major museums such as the Byzantine and Christian Museum of Athens and the National Gallery of Athens, alongside private collections.
Don’t miss this journey through gold, faith and artistic evolution at the Palazzo Ducale – Doge’s Apartment, from 30 April to 29 September 2025.
Website: www.visitmuve.it
Location: Palazzo Ducale, Venice
Schedule: April 30 – September 29, 2025
