El Greco was a Spanish painter of Greek origin, active in the 16th and 17th centuries, and a leading figure of the Spanish Renaissance. Born Domenikos Theotokopoulos, he trained in Venice and Rome but achieved his greatest success after moving to Spain, where he created most of his masterpieces.
El Greco is renowned for his restless imagery, the apparent looseness of his technique, the unconventional forms of his figures, their elongated proportions, and his daring use of color. Particularly striking are his religious scenes, infused with extraordinary expressiveness and drama. Portraits of prominent Spanish figures of his time also hold a special place in his oeuvre.
One of El Greco’s most recognizable masterpieces is The Burial of the Count of Orgaz, a monumental canvas depicting the legendary miracle of the burial of a powerful nobleman by Saints Stephen and Augustine. Another celebrated work is View of Toledo, a mystical vision of the ancient city infused with elements of a fantastical landscape. Today, El Greco’s paintings continue to captivate audiences and are housed in leading museums across Europe and America, including the Museo del Prado in Madrid and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Discover the singular and striking imagery of El Greco by selecting a high-quality digital reproduction of one of his iconic works, and immerse yourself in the extraordinary artistic world of this great master of the Late Renaissance.