El Greco left to his descendants a rich creative heritage, but the greatness of his talent was fully appreciated by the descendants only three centuries later. Representatives of many genres of painting drew inspiration from the works of the master: romanticism; impressionism; symbolism; expressionism.
Education
In 1566, El Greco moved to Venice, where he continued his studies and achieved his first successes in art. In Rome, he opened an art workshop and received the first commissions. But the Italian public was very reluctant to accept his work, so the artist soon decided to leave for Spain forever.
In 1577, 36-year-old Domenikos settled in Toledo. He planned to soon move to Madrid to the court of the Spanish king, but these aspirations were not destined to come true. Philip II was dissatisfied with the paintings “The Adoration of the Name of Christ” and “The Martyrdom of St. Mauritius” painted by the Greek and did not make any more orders.
Works for the church
But the artist suddenly had another, no less rich customer – the Church. Representatives of the Spanish Catholic clergy provided a job for a talented artist for many years.
The painter’s workshop could hardly cope with the flow of orders for religious subjects. These were mainly paintings and sculptural ensembles for temples or monasteries. In this city, the artist’s only son, Jorge Manuel, was born in an unofficial marriage.
The work of El Greco is interpreted differently by art historians.
A significant part of them refers the works of the master to the style of mannerism. Also in the masterpieces of the painter, mystical notes are clearly visible. The original manner of performance differed in many respects from the work of other Spanish artists of the Counter-Reformation era.
The unnaturally elongated proportions of the figures, the expressiveness and drama of the compositions were not inherent in the painting of that time. But many years later, the style of the great master was reflected in the works of: symbolists; cubists; expressionists.
El Greco left no disciples behind him. He lived until his death comfortably and secluded in a large house of 24 rooms. The great painter died in 1614 and soon after his death he was forgotten for three centuries.
