El Greco:El Greco:Domenikos Domenikos
TheotokopoulosTheotokopoulos
The ‘greek’ of all trades:The ‘greek’ of all trades:
painter, sculptor, architectpainter, sculptor, architect
1541-16141541-1614
The Greek? In Spain?The Greek? In Spain?
• El greco=the greek El greco=the greek in castilianin castilian
• Originally from Originally from Crete, GreeceCrete, Greece
• 1577-moved to 1577-moved to Toledo, SpainToledo, Spain– Religious capital Religious capital
Sacred ArtSacred Art
• Christian beliefs Christian beliefs influenced life/artinfluenced life/art
• Painter of Painter of altarpieces and altarpieces and portraitsportraits
Religious artReligious art
Artist-Philosopher Artist-Philosopher
• Referred to himself Referred to himself as artistic as artistic philosopherphilosopher– Guided by religious Guided by religious
principles, not principles, not talenttalent
Another crazy one…Another crazy one…
• ‘‘strange’ artstrange’ art– People thought he People thought he
was insanewas insane– AstigmatismAstigmatism
• Reflection of strong Reflection of strong Christian influenceChristian influence
• Influential in form, Influential in form, light, colorlight, color– PicassoPicasso
Home Sweet HomeHome Sweet Home
• Only famous Only famous remaining remaining paintingspaintings– Toledo, SpainToledo, Spain
Count OrgazCount Orgaz
• Asked to paint Asked to paint Church Santo Church Santo Tomé, ToledoTomé, Toledo
• Painting situated Painting situated about remains of about remains of Count buried in Count buried in ChurchChurch
Sacred ArtSacred Art