El Greco - Saint Jerome as Scholar

El Greco (Domḗnikos Theotokópoulos) (1541-1614) was a Greek painter who is considered one of the most important figures of the Spanish Renaissance. He was born in Crete, which was then part of the Venetian Republic. He trained as an icon painter in the Byzantine tradition, but later moved to Venice and studied under Titian. In 1577, El Greco moved to Spain, where he spent most of his career. He developed a unique style that combined elements of Byzantine and Italian Renaissance art, with elongated figures, intense colors, and dramatic lighting. His works often had religious themes, and he was known for his depictions of saints and martyrs. Some of El Greco's most famous works include "The Burial of the Count of Orgaz," "View of Toledo," and "The Disrobing of Christ." He was also a prolific portraitist, painting many prominent figures of his time, including King Philip II of Spain. Today, El Greco is considered one of the greatest painters of all time, and his works are admired for their technical skill, emotional intensity, and spiritual depth.