Venediktos Emporios

Venediktos Emporios (Greek: Εμπόριος Βενέδικτος; 1620–1685) was a Greek painter who was active during the 17th century in Venice, Italy. The Greek Orthodox church in Venice known as San Giorgio dei Greci was an epicenter for Greek painters. During the 16th and 17th centuries the church commissioned works from Giovanni Kyprios, Michael Damaskinos, Emmanuel Tzanes, Leos Moskos and Emporios. Emporios and his contemporaries were representatives of the Cretan school of painting. One of his notable works can be found at the church inside the Iero (Sanctuary or Chancel) facing the Altar or Holy Table. The massive painting is of the Last Supper and it is located above the Royal Doors on the inner portion of the iconostasis. Emporios has over nine works attributed to him, which can be found at the same church.

Emporios began his art career in Chania, Crete and eventually migrated to Venice, Italy. He was a contractor associated with San Giorgio dei Greci where he received a commission as early as 1602. The painter was also listed in the Libro Capitolare which was an archive of documents dealing with the governance and administration of institutions in Venice. In the Libro, Emporios was listed four times in 1618, 1622, 1623, and 1628 as a representative of the island of Crete.