El Greco

Spanish, 1541–1614

Born in Iráklion (Candia); died in Toledo.

The Assumption of the Virgin, 1577–79

El Greco, “the Greek”, was born in Crete and trained in the Byzantine icon tradition before studying Venetian painting and working in Rome. From 1577 he lived in Toledo, where his first major commission was the high altarpiece of Santo Domingo el Antiguo, to which The Assumption of the Virgin belongs. His mature style, with elongated figures, flickering light and acid colour, found few imitators in his time but was rediscovered with enthusiasm by modern painters.

Written by Ochre Editions.

In the collection
7 worksDated 1574–1614
Mostly
Painting

Walk the El Greco gallery