Wedding at Cana (Damaskinos)

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Wedding at Cana
Greek: Ο Γάμος της Κανά,
Italian: Le Nozze di Cana
Le nozze di Cana - Michele Damaskinos - Google Cultural Institute.jpg
Artist Michael Damaskinos
Yearc. 1560-1570
Mediumoil on canvas on panel
SubjectWedding Feast at Cana
Dimensions85 cm× 118 cm(33.5 in× 46.5 in)
Location Museo Correr, Venice
Website Official Website

Wedding at Cana also known as Wedding Feast at Cana and Le Nozze di Cana is an oil painting by Michael Damaskinos. He was active during the second half of the 16th century in Heraklion, Sicily, Venice, and different parts of Italy. Over 100 works are attributed to the artist. Most of his work resembled the Greek mannerisms prevalent at the time also known as maniera greca. He was clearly influenced by Venetian painting. His version of the Wedding at Cana was a copy of Tintoretto's massive painting of the Wedding Feast at Cana. The monumental canvas was 4.4 m x 5.9 m or 14.4 ft x 19.3 ft. The painting was originally in the dining hall (refectory) of the convent of the Crociferi in Venice. Refectories typically featured large paintings of biblical banquet scenes. The monks preferred biblical banquet scenes because they desired the impression of dining with Christ. Damaskinos probably saw the painting at the convent or a copy of the masterpiece in Venice. The Damaskinos version is much smaller than the original. The painting is very important because it is one of the few instances where Damaskinos broke from the traditional maniera greca prevalent in most of his works. In this instance, he strictly followed the lines of Venetian painting exhibiting his superior craftsmanship as a painter capable of changing his style. El Greco was another painter who also painted in both styles. The Damaskinos version is currently at the Museo Correr in Venice, Italy. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Contents

Subject

The Wedding at Cana is a popular theme painted by many artists. Italian Renaissance painter Paolo Veronese who was based in Venice painted his version of The Wedding at Cana. The theme is traditionally considered the first miracle attributed to Jesus in the Gospel of John. Jesus Christ, his mother, and his disciples were invited to a wedding. His mother noticed the wine was running out. Jesus delivered a sign of his divinity by turning the water into wine. The location of Cana was in some village in Galilee. The painting by Michael Damaskinos is a visual interpretation of the event.

Description

The work is an oil on canvas on panel painting with dimensions 85 cm × 118 cm (33.5 in × 46.5 in) Tintoretto's massive painting is eleven times larger than the Damaskinos. The painting was completed between 1560-1583. The massive wedding banquet poses many similarities to Tintoretto's work but features many differences. Compared to the Tintoretto the Damaskinos version lacks a massive chandelier in the center of the room. The time of day is also different. Night occupies the atmosphere. A band plays to the left of the massive banquet table. The floor is tiled. The guest of honor stands out, he is dressed in lavish attire. The painting is a historical archive of 16th century Venice. The instruments and lavish opulent clothing allow viewers the impression of the fashion trends of that era. [5]

Jesus and the Virgin Mary are at the end of the table. He is blessing the water and turning it into wine. In the window frame to our right two-winged Lion's of Venice decorate the window opening. The winged lion symbolizes the city of Venice. In the rear of the room garnishing the wall in Tintoretto's version are elaborately decorated Ionic Columns reminiscent of ancient Greek architecture. In the Damaskinos version, more simple Doric columns are implemented. The major symbol of ancient Greek art in Damaskinos's works was the consistent use of ancient Greek Cretan meander patterns. The symbols decorate the table cloth. A similar design was on the table cloth in Damaskinos's Last Supper. The dog in both The Last Supper and the Wedding at Cana was borrowed from Tintoretto's version of the Wedding at Cana. The assortment of food, silverware, and wine jugs is common to Damaskinos's Last Supper and the current Wedding at Cana. Some historians attributed another version of the Wedding at Cana to Damaskinos. The item recently sold for 136,000 dollars. [6]

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<i>The Last Supper</i> (Damaskinos) Painting by Michael Damaskinos.

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<i>Stoning of Stephen</i> (Damaskinos) Painting by Michael Damaskinos

The Stoning of Saint Stephen is an egg tempera and gold leaf painting created by Greek master Michael Damaskinos. He was a member of the Cretan school. He integrated Venetian painting with the Greek mannerisms prevalent at the time. Damaskinos was active in Heraklion, Sicily, Venice, and other parts of Italy. The Stoning of Stephen has been depicted by countless Greek and Italian painters. Saint Stephen was a protomartyr. He was the first martyr of Christianity. He was stoned to death for following the new faith. The painting is a depiction of that event.

<i>Saint Mark</i> (Tzanes) Painting by Emmanuel Tzanes

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<i>The Miracle of the Holy Belt</i> Painting by Theodore Poulakis

The Miracle of the Holy Belt was completed by Theodore Poulakis. He was a Greek painter originally from the village of Chania, Crete. He was associated with the Cretan School. He eventually migrated to the Ionian Islands. He was a member of the Heptanese School. He settled on the island of Corfu. He was a famous teacher. He signed a six-year contract to teach painting to Marinos Damistras son Tzorzi. The contract stipulated that his student had to follow him to Venice. Poulakis frequently traveled all over the Venetian Empire. During one period of his life, he stayed in Venice for over 13 years. He was very active within the painting community. He was also involved with the prestigious quarantia council. One hundred thirty of his work survived. The Girdle of Thomas also referred to as the miracle of the holy belt is a sacred relic located at Prato Cathedral in Tuscany, Italy.

<i>The Holy Family</i> (Doxaras) Painting by Panagiotis Doxaras

The Holy Family is an oil painting created by Greek painter Panagiotis Doxaras. He was a prominent member of the Heptanese School. He was also an author. His son Nikolaos Doxaras was also a famous painter. Panayiotis was from a small village named Koutifari, close to Kalamata. He moved to Zakynthos at a young age. He studied painting with famous painter Leos Moskos. He traveled all over the Venetian empire with the famous artist including Venice. He studied painting in Venice for five years. He became a theoretical painter. He wrote several books on painting. He traveled all over the Ionian Islands. He lived in Lefkada, Zakynthos, and Corfu. He frescoed the ceiling of Panagia Faniromeni in Zakynthos. Eighteen of his paintings survived.

References

  1. Amy S. Gross (October 29, 2021). "Jacopo Tintoretto's Wedding Feast at Cana". Save Venice. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  2. Lucco, Mauro (1996). Painting in the Veneto The Sixteenth Century Volume 3. Venice, Italy: Electa. pp. 1258, 1365.
  3. Eugenia Drakopoulou (October 29, 2021). "Damaskinos Michail". Institute for Neohellenic Research. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  4. Hatzidakis, Manolis (1987). Greek painters after the fall (1450-1830) Volume A. Athens, GR: Center for Modern Greek Studies E.I.E. pp. 241–254.
  5. Staff Writers (October 29, 2021). "Wedding at Cana". Yale University Library. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  6. Staff Writers (October 29, 2021). "Lot No. 33". Dorotheum GmbH & Co KG. Retrieved October 29, 2021.