Early Life and Training

El Greco, born Doménikos Theotokopoulos in 1541, was a Greek painter, sculptor, and architect of the Spanish Renaissance. Born in the Kingdom of Candia, modern Crete, which was then part of the Republic of Venice, Italy, El Greco's artistic journey began within the Post-Byzantine art tradition.

The Artistic Journey

El Greco's training led him to travel at age 26 to Venice, where he enriched his style with elements of Mannerism and the Venetian Renaissance, influenced by Tintoretto and Titian. In 1570, he moved to Rome, opening a workshop and executing a series of works.

Establishment in Toledo, Spain

In 1577, El Greco settled in Toledo, Spain, where he received major commissions and produced his most renowned works, such as:

• View of Toledo (1596–1600)
• Opening of the Fifth Seal (1608–1614)

Notable Works and Style El Greco's unique style, characterized by tortuously elongated figures and often fantastic or phantasmagorical pigmentation, has been a subject of fascination. His work has been regarded as a precursor to both Expressionism and Cubism.

Museums Featuring El Greco's Work

• Museo de El Greco (Toledo, Spain) - A Comprehensive Guide
• National Gallery of Canada (Canada) featuring St Francis and Brother Leo Meditating on Death

Legacy El Greco's impact on the art world is undeniable. His work continues to inspire artists, poets, and writers, including Rainer Maria Rilke and Nikos Kazantzakis.

References

• El Greco (Doménikos Theotokopoulos) - WahooArt
• El Greco - Wikipedia

View El Greco's Artworks on WahooArt

Explore El Greco's Paintings

**Early Life and Training**

Doménikos Theotokópoulos, widely known as El Greco, was a Greek painter, sculptor, and architect of the Spanish Renaissance. Born on October 1, 1541, in either Fodele or Candia (modern Crete), which was then part of the Republic of Venice, Italy, and the center of Post-Byzantine art.

**Artistic Journey**

• El Greco received his initial training as an icon painter of the Cretan school, a leading center of post-Byzantine art.
• In 1570, he moved to Rome, where he opened a workshop and executed a series of works, enriching his style with elements of Mannerism and the Venetian Renaissance.
• In 1577, he settled in Toledo, Spain, where he lived and worked until his death, receiving several major commissions and producing his best-known paintings, such as View of Toledo and Opening of the Fifth Seal.

**Notable Works and Style**

• The Disrobing of Christ (1577-1579), a masterpiece showcasing his unique blend of Byzantine and Western painting traditions.
• Assumption of the Virgin (1577-1579), a work that exemplifies his dramatic and expressionistic style.
• The Burial of the Count of Orgaz (1586-1588), a painting that demonstrates his ability to capture the essence of Spanish nobility.

**Legacy and Influence**

• El Greco's work has been characterized as a precursor to Expressionism and Cubism, influencing artists such as Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock.
• His unique style, marked by tortuously elongated figures and vibrant pigmentation, continues to fascinate art enthusiasts worldwide.

**Museums and Collections**

• Museo de El Greco (Toledo, Spain), a must-visit destination for art lovers, featuring an impressive collection of El Greco's works.
• National Gallery of Canada, which houses several of El Greco's notable paintings, including St Francis and Brother Leo Meditating on Death.

**Explore More**

• Visit The Museum Capilla de San José (Toledo, Spain), a comprehensive guide to El Greco's works and the museum.
• Discover more about El Greco's life and art on El Greco (Doménikos Theotokopoulos), a detailed biography and collection of his works.