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Period: 1541 to
His life
El Greco was born in Hania, Crete in 1541. At that time Crete was part of the Republic of Venice. -
Period: 1541 to
“A Tribute to Greco”.
He is one of the most famous painters of the 16th century. His paintings influenced many famous artists after him, for example Picasso and Cezanne.
In honour of El Greco, Nikos Kazantzakis called his autobiography “A Tribute to Greco”. -
Period: 1567 to 1567
His studies
As a young man he studied Byzantine icon painting in Hania. He moved to Venice in 1567 where he continued to study painting. -
Period: 1570 to 1577
Rome
In 1570 he went to Rome. He lived and worked in Rome until 1577. -
Period: 1570 to
His individual style
El Greco had a very individual style. His paintings show both Byzantine and Italian styles. They also show strong Catholic religious elements from Spain. -
Period: 1577 to
His death
In 1577 he moved to Spain in Toledo, near Madrid where he lived and worked until the end of his life. He died in 1614 at the age of 73.