Domḗnikos Theotokópoulos, whose Greek name is Δομήνικος Θεοτοκόπουλος (IPA: [ðoˈminikos θeotoˈkopulos]), lived from October 1, 1541, to April 7, 1614. He is most famously known as El Greco, which translates to "The Greek" in Spanish. This nickname, given in Spanish, was used colloquially, but the artist typically signed his paintings using his full birth name in Greek characters, often including the term Κρής (Krḗs), signifying "Cretan."
El Greco's birthplace was the Kingdom of Candia, situated in modern-day Crete, a part of the Republic of Venice, Italy at the time. It was a hub for Post-Byzantine art, where El Greco received his training and achieved mastery within this artistic tradition. At the age of 26, he followed in the footsteps of other Greek artists by traveling to Venice. In 1570, he relocated to Rome, where he established a workshop and completed several significant works. During his Italian sojourn, El Greco incorporated elements of Mannerism and the Venetian Renaissance into his style, drawing inspiration from renowned artists of his era, particularly Tintoretto. In 1577, he made his way to Toledo, Spain, where he resided and worked until his passing. In Toledo, El Greco received numerous major commissions and created some of his most iconic works, including "View of Toledo" and "Opening of the Fifth Seal."
El Greco's artistic style, marked by its dramatic and expressionistic qualities, was met with bewilderment by his contemporaries. However, it gained considerable recognition in the 20th century. El Greco is considered a precursor to both Expressionism and Cubism. His unique personality and artworks also served as a wellspring of inspiration for poets and writers like Rainer Maria Rilke and Nikos Kazantzakis. In the assessment of contemporary scholars, El Greco's individuality was so pronounced that it defies categorization within any conventional artistic school. His distinctive features encompass the striking elongation of figures and the frequent use of fantastical or phantasmagorical coloration, merging Byzantine traditions with those of Western painting.
