Greek-born Spanish Mannerist Painter, 1541-1614
Considered a representative of late Renaissance Spanish art, El Greco was actually born in Greece, on the island of Crete. After studying in Venice under Titian, El Greco settled in Toledo, Spain in 1577. At the time he was wildly popular, his emotionally religious paintings being just the ticket for the hometown of the Spanish Inquisition. After his death his work was largely ignored until the beginning of the 20th century; now he considered one of the inspired geniuses of Western art. His distinctive style features bold shapes and colors, with elongated and slightly distorted figures.
In Toledo El Greco was in constant demand and liked living large: he maintained a private orchestra to accompany his meals. Related Paintings of El Greco :. | El Greco. Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata | The Crucifixion with two donors | The Christ is driving businessman in the fane | st john the evangelist | Saints John the Evangelist and Francis | Related Artists:
BOELEMA DE STOMME, MaertenDutch painter (active 1642-1664 in Haarlem)
Thomas SomerscalesEnglish painter, 1842-1927
William TurnerEnglish Romantic Painter, 1775-1851
British painter and printmaker. He dominated British landscape painting throughout the first half of the 19th century. He established a reputation in the Royal Academy, London, first as a topographical watercolourist and then within a few years as a painter of Sublime and historical landscapes.