Domenikos Theotokopulos (El Greco) (b.1541 Crete - d.1614 Toledo) | 1568

El Greco was a Spanish painter and sculptor of Greek origin, one of the most outstanding representatives of Mannerism. He may have learned his craft from the monks of St Catherine's Monastery in Crete, from the local school of icon painters operating in the Byzantine art tradition, or from the school in Mystras on the Peloponnese. In 1567 the master left for Italy, it is possible that he studied there in Titian's workshop. A year later he settled permanently in Toledo. His work is extremely original, the figures painted by El Greco are very elongated, they seem unreal and spiritual.