Greek-born Spanish Mannerist Painter, 1541-1614
Considered a representative of late Renaissance Spanish art, El Greco was actually born in Greece, on the island of Crete. After studying in Venice under Titian, El Greco settled in Toledo, Spain in 1577. At the time he was wildly popular, his emotionally religious paintings being just the ticket for the hometown of the Spanish Inquisition. After his death his work was largely ignored until the beginning of the 20th century; now he considered one of the inspired geniuses of Western art. His distinctive style features bold shapes and colors, with elongated and slightly distorted figures.
In Toledo El Greco was in constant demand and liked living large: he maintained a private orchestra to accompany his meals. Related Paintings of El Greco :. | Hl. Franziskus und Bruder Leo, uber den Tod meditierend | The Miracle of Christ Healing the Blind | portrait of jeronimo de cevallos | christ on the mount of olives | The Annunciation | Related Artists: Pantaleon Szyndler painted Slave woman in 1846 - 1905 Cesare Mussini painted Atala in 1835 Aaron Harry Gorson 1872-1933