DOMINIKOS THEOTOKOPOULOS – “EL GRECO”

Dominikos Theotokopoulos was known as El Greco, that is "The Greek". He was a Cretan painter, sculptor and architect of Spanish Renaissance.  

self - portait of Dominikos Theotokopoulos

He was born in 1541 in Heraklion of Crete. His father George Theotokopoulos was a tax officer and merchant. For his mother there is no information. He had an older brother Manouso. El Greco trained as an icon - painter and since 1563 he became a proffessional painter.

In 1567 he moved to Venice for to continue his studies and in 1570 he moved to Rome. In Rome El Greco came face to face with the intense competition.

In 1577 El Greco moved to Spain. He first settled in Madrid and later in Toledo a city that was then the religious and political centre of Spain. There he created some of the most famous works of his mature period and experienced the establishment gained recognition. He died on April 7, 1614

SOME OF THE MOST FAMOUS WORKS

the words El Greco used to sign his paintings

View of Toledo, Metropolitan Museum or art, New York

Modena Triptych, Galleria Estense Modena

The Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, National Gallery London

Christ carrying the Cross, Metropolitan Museum of art New York

The Disrobing of Christ (El Espolio), Sancristy of the Cathedral Toledo

 

The Dormition of the Virgin, Holy Cathedral of the Dormition of the Virgin, Hermoupolis Syros

3 Comments on “DOMINIKOS THEOTOKOPOULOS – “EL GRECO”

  1. Hi Charis, El Greco was a wonderful artist and he had a great influence on 20th century art. I’m happy to see you chose to write about him. It’s also great you have included so many of his paintings in your post. Excellent organization of paragraphs and information in your post.

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