2 Quotes & Sayings By El Greco
The name El Greco (El Greco means "The Greek") is the pseudonym under which the Spanish artist known as Andres de Togal (Andrea del Toval) painted. He was born in Crete, part of the Duchy of Athens, in 1541. His father was a lawyer, and his mother was esteemed for her beauty. He started to paint at the age of 16 and attracted many followers, including the painter Franciso de Mena, who later became his main collaborator
El Greco began his career as an assistant to Titian before moving on to more independent works. In 1577 he joined a religious order of monks at San Giorgio Maggiore which forced him to spend long periods in Naples and then Toledo from 1578 until 1585. In Toledo he studied with Titian and then traveled to Rome in 1588 to meet Raphael.
In 1591 he moved to Venice where he lived until 1610. During this period both his physical appearance and his art changed dramatically. He spent much time in Vienna from 1608 until 1614 where he often worked with his friend Velasquez and was influenced by Peter Paul Rubens, Albrecht Dürer, and Claude Lorrain.
In 1612 El Greco returned to Spain where he remained until his death in 1614.