ABSTRACT

Maria Constantoudaki-Kitromilides examines archival material that reveals the presence of Venetian painters on the island of Crete. The material raises a number of important questions regarding the reasons these artists moved from the mother city to the island; the tasks in which they were involved both as artists and independently of their profession; and their patronage. This evidence testifies to a robust two-way artistic traffic between Venice and Candia and further suggests that Crete was recognised as a thriving, developing colony, with political stability.