Greek-born Spanish Mannerist Painter, 1541-1614 Considered a representative of late Renaissance Spanish art, El Greco was actually born in Greece, on the island of Crete. After studying in Venice under Titian, El Greco settled in Toledo, Spain in 1577. At the time he was wildly popular, his emotionally religious paintings being just the ticket for the hometown of the Spanish Inquisition. After his death his work was largely ignored until the beginning of the 20th century; now he considered one of the inspired geniuses of Western art. His distinctive style features bold shapes and colors, with elongated and slightly distorted figures. In Toledo El Greco was in constant demand and liked living large: he maintained a private orchestra to accompany his meals.
Bust of an Apostle
1612-14 Unpainted wood, height: 48 cm Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection, Madrid There is only one surviving sculpture by El Greco's own hand in the Toledo Cathedral. Several others were executed by J. B. Monegro after designs by El Greco, among them a series of Apostles