Crucifixion – Veneto-cretan School C1650, Circle Of Theophanes The Cretan

Superb work painted in tempera on wood panel, representing the Crucifixion of Christ,
executed in the late Byzantine style of the Veneto-Cretan school, very active in the 17th century.

This work particularly evokes the style of Theophanes the Cretan, a major figure in the post-Byzantine pictorial revival. Christ on the cross sits enthroned in the center, surrounded by the sacred figures of the Virgin Mary, Saint John the Evangelist, Mary Magdalene, and a Roman centurion, all depicted in a posture of emotion and sacred tension. In the background, stylized architecture evokes the walls of Jerusalem, painted in a vivid red characteristic of the Cretan palette.

The cracked ground reveals a skull in a cavity, symbolizing Adam and redemption. Techniques: tempera on wooden panel, with a partially preserved gold leaf background. Pigments: expressive use of red ochre, olive green, and deep blacks; white impasto highlights for the faces and folds of the clothing.

Scenography: controlled symmetry around the cross; hieratic figures and expressive gestures; the ample drapery of the clothing reflects a strong influence of the Cretan workshops trained in contact with Venice. Composition: stylized architectural background, schematic vegetation (two trees on each side), monumental central cross. Iconography: The scene is enriched by major symbolic elements such as the cruciform halo, the bleeding wounds of Christ, and the dramatic contrast between the earthly pain and the celestial background. In the 16th century, the island of Crete was under Venetian domination.

The Veneto-Cretan school established itself as an artistic melting pot where traditional Byzantine codes and Western influences (notably from the Italian Renaissance) mingled. Theophanes the Cretan, active between Crete, Constantinople and Mount Athos, is one of the most eminent painters of this period, famous for his powerful and mystical scenes, such as those found in this work.

Type: Religious icon (Crucifixion of Christ)
Origin: Veneto-Cretan schoolPeriod: 16th century (circa 1650)
Technique: Tempera on wood panel, with traces of gilding
Dimensions: 26 x 21 cmCondition:
Very good condition for its age; some superficial wear; very beautiful original patina.

17th-century Cretan icons occupy a central place in post-Byzantine art. They embody the transmission and transformation of the Orthodox heritage under Western influence. This piece, halfway between the Byzantine tradition and the Italian Renaissance, illustrates this stylistic hybridization of great historical and artistic richness. This work is distinguished by: The finesse of its execution, Its rarity (small private format, not intended for liturgical use), Its excellent condition, Its strong decorative and devotional value.

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