El Greco (actually called Domenikos Theotokópoulos) was born in Greece and travelled to Spain. He is considered the main representative of the Spanish Mannerism of the 16th century.
Born on October 01, 1541 in Phodele / Island of Crete.
Died on April 6, 1614 in Toledo.
Having painted his monumental figures after the Venetian idols Titian and Jacopo Tintoretto, El Greco was heavily criticized for its typically Mannerist coloring. It was not until the late 1570s that he gained reputation helped by commissions from the Spanish royal court, including the painting "The Burial of Count Orgaz". In the 1590s years his favorite themes changed inspired by the teachings of the Spanish mystics, from religious mass paintings towards small, dark-crafted paintings depicting the existential menace of individuals.El Greco's very moving figures - with regard to facial expressions and gestures - are shown from below and kept very flat, with elongated limbs and blurred contour lines. With this unique style of painting, he became the main representative of Mannerism. |
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Oil Paintings