Domenico Theotocopoli, called El Greco

Domenico Theotocopoli, known as El Greco, was a Greek painter born in 1541 in Crete, which was then part of the Republic of Venice. He is renowned for his distinctive style that contributed to the Spanish Renaissance, characterized by elongated figures and dramatic use of color and light. El Greco moved to Spain in 1577, where he spent the majority of his career, particularly in Toledo, creating some of his most famous works such as "The Burial of the Count of Orgaz" and "View of Toledo." His work was initially met with mixed reviews, but he later gained recognition for his unique approach that prefigured both Expressionism and Cubism. El Greco's influence extended beyond his lifetime, impacting artists such as Pablo Picasso and inspiring the modernist movement. He died on April 7, 1614, in Toledo, leaving behind a legacy that bridged the Byzantine traditions of his youth with the burgeoning Baroque style.