The old master painter El Greco was multinational. He established himself as an artist in his birthplace, the Greek isle of Crete, before working in Venice and Rome. Eager for prestigious commissions, he moved to Spain and settled in the city of Toledo, where he spent the rest of his life. Many of his masterpieces have remained in Spain.
El Greco’s most significant painting outside of that country is in an American museum, the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC). It is the majestic oil on canvas “The Assumption of the Virgin” from 1577 to 1579.
The Singular Greek Master
Born Domenico Theotokopoulos, (1541–1614), El Greco is known for a singular artistic style that is instantly recognizable. His dramatic paintings feature elongated figures, ultra-saturated bright and bold colors, and vigorous broad brushstrokes. These characteristics are found in his mature works. His early career centered around Byzantine icon painting. After mastering this, he moved to Italy in 1567 to learn the Western Renaissance style. In the Republic of Venice, which ruled Crete at the time, El Greco studied Venetian Renaissance art by the likes of Titian and Tintoretto, absorbing their rich palette and loose brushwork.
Michelle Plastrik
Author
Michelle Plastrik is an art adviser living in New York City. She writes on a range of topics, including art history, the art market, museums, art fairs, and special exhibitions.
