El Greco
(1541 - 1614) |
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secular narratives, portraiture, altarpieces Art Work
| Name: |
El Greco |
| Gender: |
Male |
| Place of Birth: |
Crete, Republic of Venice |
| Nationality: |
Greek |
| Birth: |
1541 |
| Death: |
1614 |
| Website: |
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| Past Auctions: |
Click Here |
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Quick Facts
| Known For: |
secular narratives, portraiture, altarpieces |
| Medium: |
oil painting |
| Method: |
oil painting |
| Style: |
Mannerism |
| Fine Art Profession(s): |
Painter
Sculptor
Architect |
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Biography
| Born Domenikos Theotokopoulos, El Greco received his name from the Spanish, who referred to the foreign painter as simply "the greek." The artist was born in Crete, and was originally trained in the Byzantine tradition of painting. Exposure to the stylistic differences of the Italian Renaissance, however, led to a unique synthesis of the two styles. In 1577, El Greco moved to Toledo, Spain, where he settled and worked for the rest of his life. The artist was devoutly Catholic and painted primarily in religious subjects. His paintings are distinctive for their use of stark colors, his figure's exaggeratedly lengthened limbs, and dramatic lighting. Critics today see El Greco's early emphasis on emotional intensity as the stylistic precursor to the cubists and expressionists. His most well known works include The View from Toledo and Assumption of the Virgin. |
Samples of Work
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