Spain: Notable Artists and their Art

1541 - 1614 - El Greco (All Facts)

• (Greek) Catholic Painter of the Spanish Renaissance

  • His real name was “Domenikos Theotokopoulos”

  • He was born in Candia, on the island of Crete

  • He went to Venice, where he studied under Titian

  • He then met the dean of Toledo who offered him commissions there

  • He remained there for life, mainly painting for its churches

  • He died at the age of 73 in Toledo in Spain

• He was a religious painter who had intense spiritual power

  • His altarpieces, with their characteristic elongated figures, and his characteristic harsh light and cool blues; were highly emotional

1572 - El Greco: Christ Driving the Money Changers from the Temple (All Facts)

1586 - El Greco: The Burial of Count Orgaz (All Facts)

• Painted for the church of Santo Tome (St. Thomas) in Toledo

• Its typically dramatic, almost feverish forms and colors confirmed the namesake artist’s reputation

1588 - El Greco: Lady in a Fur Cap (All Facts)

1591 - 1652 - Jusepe de Ribera (All Facts)

• Spanish Baroque Painter

  • He was nicknamed “the Little Spaniard”

  • He was the most prominent painter in Naples

• He met Diego Velazquez while travelling in Naples in Italy

1626 - Jusepe de Ribera: Drunken Silenus (All Facts)

1644 - Jusepe de Ribera: Martyrdom of St. Bartholemew (All Facts)

1599 - 1660 - Diego Velazquez (All Facts)

• Spanish Baroque Painter

• He was court painter for King Philip IV

• He met Jusepe de Ribera while travelling in Naples in Italy

1629 - Diego Velazquez: The Triumph of Bacchus (All Facts)

1598 - 1664 - Francisco de Zurbarán (All Facts)

• Spanish Baroque Painter

• He was called to Madrid by King Philip IV to assist in the decoration of the “Buen Retiro,” under the direction of Diego Velazquez