Domenikos Theotokopoulos, most commonly known as El Greco, lived from 1541 to 1614. Domenikos was born in Candia (now Iraklion), Crete where he first studied painting. Though none of his works from this period of his life, most scientists speculate that Domenikos" art was mostly influenced by the late Byzantine style, popular in Crete at the time. This variety of painting is present in his later artwork, which suggests that Domenikos" classical tastes developed in his youth. In 1566, Domenikos moved to Venice where he lived for 4 years. It was here in Italy where he became known as El Greco, or "the Greek," due to the tradition of recognizing an individual based their origins. Domenikos vigorously studied under Titan and Tintoretto, however, he was hardly influenced by their style and maintained his distinct design. Domenikos moved to Rome in 1570 where he further developed his characteristic art through the influences of Michelangelo. He live in Rome until 1576 when he met several Spaniards associated with a church in Toledo, whom may have persuaded Domenikos to move to Spain. He arrived in Toledo in the spring of 1577 and spent the rest of his life there.
In Domenikos" younger years his art was mostly influenced by Venetian Renaissance styles and the late Byzantine style, which he reflected upon throughout his life. One of his surviving works from his Italian period is the Purification of the Temple, which is now displayed at the Minneapolis institute of Arts. In addition, his magnificent gifts as a portraitist first appeared in a portrait of Giulio Clovio in Italy.
Domenikos" first commission in Spain marked the beginning of a series of significant changes in his painting. He drastically individualized his art by portraying elongated figures of humans as well as employing daring colors and themes in his paintings, which often offended many. These elements were present in Domenikos" short and unsuccessful association with the court of Philip II, which consisted of two paintings the "Allegory of the Holy League" and the "Martyrdom of St.
