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El Greco, real name Domenikos Theotokopolous, is recognized as one of the most innovative artists in the art history. He was born in Candia, Crete (then a part of Venice (Italy) & now in Greece), in 1541, in a well to do Greek orthodox family. It was rumored that Domenikos converted to Catholicism sometime after he travelled to Europe at the age of twenty-six. Very little is known about his family except that his father Georgios Theotokopoulos was a merchant and tax collector and he had an elder brother Manoussos Theotokopoulos. The artist acquired the nickname Greco (the Greek) during his stay in Italy, as the citizens there found it difficult to pronounce his name. Later, when he moved to Spain his name was finalized as El Greco. His
El Greco's talents ranged from painting, sculpting, & engraving to architecture. His initial learning started as an icon painter at the Cretan School. He studied Greek & Latin literatures, and got well versed in the Post-Byzantine Art. By 1563, he had achieved mastery in his field. Around 1567, he went to live in Venice, Italy. Here he furthered his artistic skills under the great masters of High Renaissance, like Titian (1490-1576) and Tintoretto (1518-94). Theotokopolous' prominent work that finished before 1567, 'The Dormition of the Virgin,' displayed a touch of Mannerism blended with the Byzantine elements. In 1570, he travelled to Rome and set up a workshop there. The same year, he made a portrait of his friend and the great Italian Miniaturist Giorgio Giulio Clovio (1498-1578), which established his talents as an extraordinary portraitist. Giulio Clovio even once described the painter as 'a rare talent in painting.'
Greco finally settled in Toledo, Spain, in 1577. Here he received his very first commission for the Church of San Domingo el Antiguo at Toledo. During 1977-79, he made nine paintings for them, including 'The Assumption of a Virgin' (1577-79) and 'Trinity' (1579). El Greco lived with his Spanish female companion Jeronima de Las Cuevas. She was also the mother to his only son Jorge Manuel Theotocopuli (1578-1631). Greco and Jeronima never married, as it was believed that the artist had an estranged wife in Italy.
Greco's son became one of his few followers. The artist even had a brief stint at the Spanish Court, where he painted the 'Allegory of the Holy League' (1578-79), and 'Martyrdom of St Maurice' (1580-1582). Unfortunately, King Phillip did not approve of the artist's flamboyant style & anti naturalist approach and soon he was replaced.
El Greco was in the habit of signing all his works with his full Greek name. His works were mostly based on religious themes. He had a great love for color and exaggerated expressions. Michelangelo (1475-1564) greatly inspired Greco. The artist never actually gained much popularity in his time. His fantastical paintings with elongated figures, vibrant coloring, and bold brushwork were often met with perplexity and ridicule. Considered a forerunner of Expressionism and Cubism, it was only by the 20th century that the art world (including writers) began to appreciate Greco's highly individualistic and evolved style, far apart from traditional art. 'The Burial of Count Orgaz' (1586) is considered as one of his greatest masterpieces. He also learned about the Roman Architecture.
El Greco fell seriously ill while working on his last commission for Hospital Tavera. He passed away at the age of 73, on April 7, 1614. He was buried in the Church of Santo Domingo el Antigua. His home in Toledo, Spain, which was also his workshop, was later converted into a museum.
Annette Labedzki received her BFA at the Emily Carr College of Art and Design in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. She has more than 25 years experience. She is the founder and developer of an online art gallery featuring original art from all over the world. Please visit the website at http://www.Labedzki-Art.com. It is a great site for art collectors to buy original art. Artists can join for free and their image upload is unlimited.
