Synopses & Reviews
This lavishly illustrated book—the first comprehensive English-language publication on El Greco in many years—addresses the full range of the great sixteenth-century artist’s work in painting and sculpture, from his Byzantine icons to his late altarpieces. It presents his distinctive religious, mythological, genre, landscape, and portrait works and describes the historical context in which they were made.
“In the first major monograph in many years on an artist many consider to be a proto-modern painter, the full range of El Greco’s towering achievements is chronicled in both gloriously rich colorplates and fresh commentary, thanks to British art historians Davies and Elliott. . . . This magnificent volume renews and deepens appreciation for a master painter for all time and all faiths.”—Booklist
“One of the first [books] in a long time to address the full range of the artist’s work—sculpture as well as paintings—in English. . . . The writing of the seven contributors is of a uniformly high level, making the volume essential reading for anyone interested in the life and times of this ever-modern-looking 16th-century ecstatic.”—Alan G. Artner, Chicago Tribune
“Splendidly produced. . . . A pleasure to read and handle. . . . This is a beautiful book, with well-written text, a first-rate chronology and gorgeous reproductions.”—Victoria Keller, The Art Book
“Splendidly produced with excellent illustrations. . . . The catalogue entries are exemplary in their erudition and eloquence. This substantial volume is essential reading for anyone interested in Spanish painting.”—Rosemarie Mulcahy, Burlington Magazine
“[An] excellent catalogue.”—Tom Phillips, Times Literary Supplement
Review
"Essential reading for anyone interested in the life and times of this ever-modern-looking 16th-century ecstatic.and#8221; and#8212;Alan G. Artner,
Chicago TribuneReview
and#8220;El Grecoand#8217;s towering achievements [are] chronicled in both gloriously rich colorplates and fresh commentary. . . . This magnificent volume renews and deepens appreciation for a master painter for all time and all faiths.and#8221;and#8212;
BooklistReview
and#8220;Splendidly produced [and] . . . a pleasure to read.and#8221;and#8212;Victoria Keller,
The Art BookSynopsis
El Greco (1541and#150;1614), born Domenikos Theotokopoulos, was one of the most fascinating and distinctive artists of the sixteenth century. His works are immediately recognizable for their brilliant colors, elongated figures, and spiritual intensity.
Initially trained in Crete, in around 1567 El Greco moved to Italy where he purportedly studied with Titian. A decade later he is documented in Toledo (south of Madrid), and he spent the rest of his long life in Spain. His paintings and writings offer a thoughtful, frequently inspired response to the varied environments in which he workedand#151;and they reveal that he was deeply engaged with the religious and artistic thinking of his times.
This lavishly illustrated bookand#151;the first comprehensive English-language publication on El Greco in many yearsand#151;addresses the full range of the artistand#8217;s work in painting and sculpture, from his Byzantine icons to his late altarpieces. It considers his personality from both a religious and intellectual point of view, and presents the artistand#8217;s religious, mythological, genre, landscape, and portrait works, providing the historical context in which they were made.
About the Author
David Davies is a preeminent El Greco scholar who taught at Birkbeck and University College, University of London. Sir John Elliott is Regius Professor Emeritus of Modern History at the University of Oxford. Gabriele Finaldi is curatorial director of the Museo Nacional del Prado. Keith Christiansen is curator of European Paintings at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Xavier Bray is an assistant curator at the National Gallery, London.