Emmanuel Tzanes

Tzanes Emmanuel, Emmanuel also Tzanes Bouniales (Greek Εμμανουήλ Τζάνες Μπουνιαλής; * 1610 in Rethymno, † March 28 1690 in Venice) was one of the most prominent Cretan painters of the 17th century.

Tzanes was a theologian and priest who was concerned with the icon painting. First he painted the icons according to the Byzantine tradition, where he was based on the models of the great Cretan icon painters of the 15th century. However, he adapted his works in early elements of Italian Mannerism.

With the Turkish conquest of Rethymno in 1646, he fled first to Kefalonia and later from there to Venice. In Venice, he settled down and decided to stay forever in Italy. At that time there was in Venice has long been a significant Greek community. Tzanes continued his artistic activity continues in Venice. In addition, he was a priest in the local Greek Orthodox Church of San Giorgio dei Greci. He died in Venice on March 28, year 1690.