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 :. | Bubende Maria Magdalena | The Baptism of Christ | Allegory of the Camaldolese Order | assumption of the virgin | St Francis in Prayer before the Crucifix or Saint Francis Kneeling in Meditation | Related Artists:
Gyula BenczurGyula Benczur (1844 - 1920) was a Hungarian painter and pedagogue. He won international success with his first few paintings, winning several competitions. He assisted Karl von Piloty with the frescoes of Maximilianeum and Rathaus in Munich. He also illustrated books by the great German writer, Friedrich Schiller. He was commissioned by the Bavarian king Ludwig II to paint Rococo themes. Later he was offered numerous international teaching positions, including offers in Prague and Weimar, but accepted a position in Munich, one of his most distinguished pupils being the Swiss-born American painter Adolfo Meller-Ury. Benczur was later a favorite among the Hungarian upper-class, painting numerous portraits of kings and aristocrats. He was considered a rival in historical painting to Makart. During his lifetime, Benczur won numerous awards. His self-portrait is on display at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
Jean joseph TaillassonFrench Painter , Bordeaux 1745-1809 Paris
was a French history painter and portraitist, draftsman and art critic, who matured his talent in the Paris ateliers of Joseph-Marie Vien (from 1764) and Nicolas Bernard L??pici?? and, having won third place in the Prix de Rome competition, 1769, spent four years, 1773-77, in Italy. At his return to Paris he set an early example of neoclassicism. His Observations sur quelques grands peintres, (Paris, Duminil-Lesueur) 1807, offered anti-academic advice somewhat at variance with his own manner
Charles Edward ChambersAmerican , 1883-1941
magazine illustrator