Cretan Collection (#8)

Cretan fresco of a monkey and papyrus, 16th-14th century BC
Cretan fresco of a monkey and papyrus from the Minoan royal palace at Knossos, 16th-14th century BC

Saint Andrew the Apostle by El Greco
El Greco (1541-1614). Cretan painter. Saint Andrew the Apostle. Museum of Fine Arts. Budapest. Hungary

The Agony in the Garden, c. 1610-1612, by El Greco
El Greco (1541-1614). Cretan painter. The Agony in the Garden, c.1610-1612. Museum of Fine Arts. Budapest. Hungary

The Palace of Minos at Knossos. 2100 BC. GREECE. CRETE. IRAKLION. Knossos. Knossos Palace. Reproduction of frescoes of dolphins in the north wall of megaron or queens room. 1600-1400 B.C

Hagia Triada Sarcophagus. ca. 1450 BC - 1400 BC. Painted terra-cotta. Ritual sacrifice of a calf. Minoan art / Cretan art. Late Minoan period. Painting. GREECE. CRETE. IRAKLION. Iraklion

GREECE. CRETE. IRAKLION. Knossos. Knossos Palace. Storage pitchers. Minoan art / Cretan art. Ceramics

The Gortyn code, Gortyn, Crete, Greece
The Gortyn code (also called the Great Code) was a legal code that was the codification of the civil law of the ancient Greek city-state of Gortyn in southern Crete

Arrival of Alexandros Zaimis, High Commissioner of Crete
Arrival of Alexandros Zaimis (18551936) Greek Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior, Minister of Justice, and High Commissioner of Crete. He served as Prime Minister six times

Chania, Crete, Greece - Place Montenegrins. The Cafe Bosphore is testament to Ottoman control, from 1645 to the 1870s. Date: circa 1890s

Throne Room - Palace of Minos, Knossos, Crete
Throne Hall - Palace of Minos, Knossos, Crete - excavated by Sir Arthur Evans. The frescoes have been heavily restored. Date: circa 1920s

Palace of Prince George - Chania, Crete. Although much of modern Greece had been independent since the 1820s, Crete remained in Ottoman hands

Turkish men on Crete smoking a Nargile pipe
Turkish Cretan men smoking a Nargile pipe

Sir Arthur Evans arranging exhibits, Burlington House, Londo
Photograph of Sir Arthur Evans (1851-1941), the English archaeologist, arranging Cretan exhibits for an exhibition held at Burlington House, London, 1936

Theseus Enters Labyrinth
Ariadne, daughter of the Cretan King, Minos, watches Theseus as he enters the labyrinth to slay the Minotaur. The string will help him trace his way out again

Hannibal requesting the Cretan Priests to become his Bankers, 1852. Artist: John Leech
Hannibal requesting the Cretan Priests to become his Bankers, 1852. From The Comic History of Rome, by Gilbert A A Beckett, illustrated by John Leech. [Bradbury, Agnew & Co, London, 1852]

Candia, 1838. From A Display of the Naval Flags of All Nations. Collected from the Best Authorities. [Fisher, Son, & Co. London, 1838]

Early Cretan libation vessel, found at Knossos, 1933-1934. Discovered by Sir Arthur Evans. The bulls head is made of soapstone, inlaid with rock crystal and shell

Events in Crete, 1896. Artist: Frederic Lix
Events in Crete, 1896. An insurrection in Crete led to large-scale violence between Muslims and Christians, a proclamation by the rebels of union with Greece

Comic relief, Egyptian Limestone, Herakles and the Cretian Bull, 4th century

Detail of a bull sacrfice from a Cretan sarcophagus, 16th century BC
Detail of a bull sacrfice from a Cretan sarcophagus, found at Aghia Triada near Phaestos, 16th century BC

Italian earthenware plate with an image of Hercules and the Cretan bull, 16th century
Italian (Verbino) earthenware plate with an image of Hercules and the Cretan bull, one of his twelve labours. from the Victoria and Albert Museums collections collection, 16th century

Greek sculpture of the Lady of Auxerre, 7th century BC
An archaic sculpture of the Lady of Auxerre, made of limestone, 7th century BC

Reconstructed balustrade west front of the Palace of Knossos, Crete, c1400 BC. Knossos was the capital of the Minoan civilization, which flourished on Crete from c3000-c1100 BC

Gold pendant from the Aegina treasure, 17th century BC
Gold pendant from the Aegina treasure, showing a deity holding two water birds. It shows both Cretan and Egyptain influences, and was probably made in Crete

Mycenaean gold seal-ring, 17th-12th century BC
Mycenaean gold seal-ring from Shaft Grave IV at Myceneae, Greece. It shows a warrior fighting three enemies, and is apparently influenced by Cretan work, 17th-12th century BC

Portrait of Saint Anthony of Padua (1195-1231), ca. 1580
Saint Anthony of Padua (1195-1231). Portuguese friar of the Franciscan Order. Portrait by El Greco (1541-1614), ca. 1580. Prado Museum. Madrid. Spain

Portrait of Jeronimo de Cevallos (1560-1641), 1613, by El
Jeronimo de Cevallos (1560-1641). Spanish jurist. Portrait by El Greco (1541-1614), 1613. Prado Museum. Madrid. Spain

The Annunciation, 1570-1572, by El Greco
El Greco (1541-1614). Cretan painter. The Annunciation, 1570-1572. Prado Museum. Madrid. Spain

Portrait of a Gentleman, ca. 1586, by El Greco
El Greco (1541-1614). Cretan painter. Portrait of a Gentleman, ca. 1586. Prado Museum. Madrid. Spain

El Greco (1541-1614). Christ on the Cross Adored by Donors, 1576-1579. Museum of Louvre. Paris. France

The Annunciation, c. 1600, by El Greco
El Greco (1541-1614). Cretan painter. The Annunciation, c.1600. Museum of Fine Arts. Budapest. Hungary

The Penitent Magdalene, 1576-1577, by El Greco
El Greco (1541-1614). Cretan painter. The Penitent Magdalene, 1576-1577. Detail. Museum of Fine Arts. Budapest. Hungary

Large storage containers of fired clay were used for burials
Mediterranean Area. Large storage containers of fired clay were used for burials in Crete and other Greek islands. Imagens divine beings protected the dead person. 600 B.C. Ny Carlsberg Gyptotek

GRECO, Domenikos Theotokopulos, called El (1541-1614). The A
RENAISSANCE ART. SPAIN. GRECO, Domenikos Theotokopulos, called El (Candia, 1541-Toledo, 1614). Cretan painter, representative of the last phase of Mannerism. The Annunciation, 1600

GRECO, DomE?nikos TheotokU?pulos, called El (1541-1614). Ago
RENAISSANCE ART. SPAIN. GRECO, DomE?nikos TheotokU?pulos, called El (Candia, 1541-Toledo, 1614). Cretan painter, representative of the last phase of Mannerism. Agony in the garden, h. 1610-1612

Cretan Insurrection / 1867
Insurrection in Crete Battle of Anugia Date: 12 January 1867

Four-horned ram (Ovis aries) and horns of the Iceland sheep and Cretan sheep.. Handcolored copperplate engraving from Ebenezer Siblys Universal System of Natural History, 1794

Constantin Voloudaki
CONSTANTIN VOLOUDAKI Cretan statesman, president of the provisional government 1865 Date: CIRCA 1865

Cretan Soldier Beetle (Spilostethus saxatilis)

Cambridge Museum
February 1911: Cambridge museum showing the prehistoric and Cretan cases. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Crete - Cretan Turks smoking Nargile Pipes. Date: circa 1902

Antonios Michelidakis - Elected President of Cretan Assembly
Following the Theriso Revolt of 1905/6, an agreement between the former rebels of Theriso and the Cretan Assembly allowed for the creation of a constituent assembly led by Antonios Michelidakis

Greek Countryfolk and elaborate loom. Date: circa 1910s

The Cretan Civic Guard
Greek and Cretan NCOs (Non-commissioned officers) engaged in the Cretan Civic Guard. Date: circa 1900

GREECE-CRETE-Hania Province-Xyloskalo: Samaria National Park. View of the Samaria Gorge
GREECE, CRETE, Hania Province, Xyloskalo: Samaria National Park. View of the Samaria Gorge

GREECE-CRETE-Hania Province-Hania: Hania Balcony
GREECE, CRETE, Hania Province, Hania: Hania Balcony

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"Cretan: A Tapestry of Art, History, and Courage" Step into the vibrant world of Crete, where ancient civilizations and timeless beauty intertwine. From the captivating frescoes depicting Three Minoan Women in Knossos to El Greco's mesmerizing Portrait of Saint John the Evangelist, this island is a treasure trove of artistic wonders. Minoan art flourished on Crete, leaving behind masterpieces like the Prince of the Lilies. Its intricate details and symbolic motifs transport us back to an era filled with mythological tales and cultural richness. Equally enchanting is the Mother of God (Glykophilousa), a 15th-16th-century masterpiece that exudes divine serenity. Crete's history also bears witness to moments of bravery and resilience. The Revolution of Theriso saw courageous revolutionaries standing alongside Venizelos in their fight for freedom against oppression. Their unwavering spirit echoes through time as a testament to Cretan determination. Delving further into history, we encounter artifacts like the Phaistos Disc from 15th century BC Greece. This enigmatic artifact continues to puzzle scholars today with its mysterious symbols etched onto its surface—a silent message from our ancestors waiting to be deciphered. Even during times of war, heroes emerged on this resilient island. John Laverick's valiant efforts as part of Operation Albumen during WWII showcase Cretans' indomitable spirit in defending their homeland against adversity. Surgeon William Maillard's Victoria Cross win at Candia stands as a testament to his courage amidst chaos. Artistic brilliance once again takes center stage with El Greco's The Annunciation—an ethereal portrayal that captures divine grace within earthly realms. His depiction transports viewers into a realm where spirituality meets human emotion seamlessly. Beyond art and history lies Crete's rich cultural tapestry—the traditional costumes worn by its inhabitants.