el Greco

Born Domenikos Theotocopoulos in 1541, the painter who always signed his works el Greco (the Greek) is considered a Spanish painter. The influences of Spanish culture are evident in his work, including his great passion for the Spanish religious movement.

El Greco developed a painting style that featured elongated figures which always seemed to be straining towards Heaven. He has been called a manipulator, because his works are so passionate that even those who don't understand the content feel the power. His use of deep, intense colors shows energy that surfaces in his paintings and almost threatens to burst forth and engulf the viewer.

After el Greco's death in 1614, his paintings fell into obscurity. They didn't come into prominence again until the 19th century when they were largely misunderstood. People looking at his work felt that he had either been mad or the victim of astigmatism and failed to see that his intensity and use of light and color were both part of el Greco's distinctive style.