Domenikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco) from Candia to Venice: Unpublished documents (1566-1568) (Pl. 40-42)

Abstract

The documents published here broaden our hitherto limited knowledge of the early phase in the career of the great Greek artist Domenikos Theotokopoulos, by making available more details concerning the dates of his passing from Candia to Venice. The first document (doc. A', dated 26/27 December 1566) throws light on El Greco's artistic achievements in his native Candia. This activivy has 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 granted permission to draw a lottery on one of his works, an icon representing the Passion of Christ, painted on golden background. Two painters mentioned in the document, the hitherto unknown priest John De Frossego and the famous Cretan artist George Klontzas, estimate the painting value up to eighty and seventy ducats respectively. The evidence of the document suggests that the young Theotokopoulos had achieved considerable distinction before leaving Crete. Document Γ', dated 18 August 1568, is an order of the Duke of Candia to Manolis Dacypris, called Matzapetas, to deliver some designs sent by 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's brother Manoussos Theotokopoulos, who is involved in a quarrel with the president of the painters' guild in Candia over the retention of certain objects belonging to the guild. From this it might be concluded that Manoussos was acting on behalf of his brother who had already departed from Crete. The above documents enable us to be more precise in our conjectures concerning the dates of Domenikos Theotokopoulos' departure from Crete, by showing that he was still in Candia at least through the end of 1566 and that he had settled in Venice before August 18, 1568.