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