El Greco

El Greco was born Doménikos Theotokópoulos in 1541 on the island of Crete, then part of the Venetian Republic. He trained first in the Byzantine tradition before moving to Venice and later Rome, where he absorbed elements of Renaissance painting. Eventually settling in Toledo, Spain, he developed a highly personal style unlike that of any of his contemporaries. His elongated figures, intense colors, and dramatic compositions give his work a powerful spiritual quality.

El Greco’s paintings often focus on religious themes, expressing emotion and mysticism rather than natural realism. During his lifetime, his style was admired by some and misunderstood by others. After his death, his work fell into relative obscurity for centuries. In the 19th and 20th centuries, modern artists rediscovered and praised his bold vision. El Greco died in 1614. Today, he is recognized as a singular figure whose art bridged Byzantine tradition, the Renaissance, and early modern expression.