Know the Artist: El Greco

The inimitable El Greco (b. Crete, 1541 -1614) manifested one of the most original styles the western world has even seen. At the intersection of Mannerism and mysticism, he created an electric universe of high-voltage characters that still send shockwaves through the centuries.
Follow DJ on Facebook and Instagram @balloonsinbold, and check out his portfolio at balloonsinbold.com.
This is Several Circles, where we tell the stories of extraordinary artists from across history and the present day. We believe art history content should be accessible-free of charge and impenetrable jargon, but abundant in fascinating facts, illuminating analyses, and entertaining anecdotes.
Each episode is written and hosted by Rachel, an art journalist-turned-copywriter at The Met, and produced by Jason, a New York City art technician. The fuzzy feline superstars are Jimmy (big and bushy) and Tallulah (small with thumbs).
We started this channel to indulge our fascination with what compels an artist to create the way they do, and we intend to grow it into a vast and celebratory archive of the weird and wonderful eccentrics who constitute the art history continuum.
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[@TheArtTourist]

This episode’s Community Spotlight is on Houston-based artist DJ Morrow! Follow DJ on Facebook and Instagram @balloonsinbold, and check out his portfolio at balloonsinbold.com.

[@seansersmylie]

I went to Toledo to see The Burial of Count Orgaz, incredible artist.

[@TheArtTourist]

So cool! It must be incredible in person, would love to see it one day :)

[@rstokes9630]

So original...I know his work immediately.

[@shaunlaisfilm]

Educational content, thank you for producing this piece about El Greco. The way that he merged his colors & tonal ranges along with the narratives within his paintings are precisely skillful; furthermore, El Greco had such a transcending visual balance that resonates, confidently.

[@TheArtTourist]

Thank you for watching! Absolutely, well said :)

[@shaunlaisfilm]

@@TheArtTouristyou are welcome & thank you. I have subscribed & patiently will await more educational & great Art content from your Channel. Success to your day & week.

[@lawrencemannato9142]

Rachel thank you for your explanation of El Greco. You elucidated his genius. I am now a convert. Warm regards Lawrence Mannato

[@mankazz9342]

In Toledo now, stood in front of “the Burial of Count Orgaz” for 30 minutes. Couldn’t peel myself away. Stunning. Arresting perspective. Incomparable. We overuse the word “genius”, but in this case, it is more than appropriate.

[@monami7092]

Very interesting, I learned new facts about El Greco, Thank you for your outstanding videos

[@JustBlaque]

Consistently one of the best channels on KZbin; keep up the good work!

[@TheArtTourist]

Thank you!!

[@magicknight13]

What a wonderful and indepth look into this artist! You truly did El Greco's artworks justice. One of the best channels on KZbin!

[@davinchat2]

Another fantastic episode! Thanks for the highlight at the end ❤. The burial of the Count of Orgaz is such a captivating piece. I love the split between the spiritual and earthly planes.

[@raghvendrahuman9578]

Your work manifests our curiosity with interest and takes us into the mystique universre of artists and their ideas. Excellently written and communicated to the audience. Thanks, and Best Regards.

[@TheArtTourist]

Many thanks and so glad you enjoyed it!

[@mr.someone52]

Imagine...He came from a dogmatic tradition of cretan byzantine iconography where every step of painting followed a certain process that was seen more like a monastic disciplin , a religious meditation. then he studied the italian and spanish styles of that time, which were completely different, more naturalistic but still mainly oriented on the dogma the clerical and political clients wer used too and demanded. OF CAUSE only someone who experienced both of these worlds could come up with developing such an expressive approach on painting that was so indecently ahead of its time.....

[@sharonjack8582]

Thank you for this video! Just watched the full free movie of El Greco biography. It is good too. Amazing artist.

[@Rbkmaggot]

Love how you explain art and artist. Fabolous work! Thank you so much.

[@adamtolbert1296]

That balloon Saturn is very cool. The paradox of the crazed subject matter and the whimsy of a balloon is what does it for me. Keep up the good work sir!

[@YouCanCallMe-X]

The vocabulary👏👏👏

[@kazechan1o1]

a month seemed way too long, glad to have you back!

[@ForzaStiinta64]

I'm at work and can't watch the video but I'm going to leave a like.

[@bobodrakes410]

OMG THE CAT IN THE THUMBNAIL 🥺🥺🥺🥺AGGHHH 10/10 video

[@Demention94]

What a beautiful host. And great info on some of my favorite artists.

[@TheArtTourist]

Thank you!

[@argsigil7208]

Very educational and well researched .Thanks for always having great material.

[@PoliticalFuturism]

You have such a wonderfully descriptive manner of presenting this material. It's phenomenal. I'm a bit late to the party, but your content is enthralling me at the moment.

[@TheArtTourist]

Thank you so much! We’re delighted that you’re enjoying it ✨

[@JoshAtkinson]

I adore El Greco. Great video. Would love a Velazquez one too!

[@mawafellowhuman]

Thanks for sharing your entertaining, concise yet also detailed look at El Greco. El Greco was one of my dear friends favorite artists so was great to learn more. Makes one want to make a pilgrimage to Toledo, Spain. Also, excited to learn about DJ Morrow in the spotlight. Thanks again for sharing. Great work!

[@TheArtTourist]

Thank you so much! ✨

[@joseruiz7488]

A new guest! 🐶💕

[@TheArtTourist]

Yes! Little Gigi 🐾

[@markbendig555]

Very interesting.

[@TheArtTourist]

Thank you!

[@TheSongOfO]

Informative and thought provoking as per usual! Modigliani at some point would be fantastiche 🤪❤️👌

[@TheArtTourist]

Many thanks! And absolutely, he’s coming up :)

[@friedricengravy6646]

Ur channel is fantastic!! Thank u 🎨

[@TheArtTourist]

Hey thank you! ✌️

[@fractalbeef]

A new animal friend! Thank you for these great videos

[@TheArtTourist]

Thank you for watching!

[@lrwiersum]

He transcends time.

[@maryd4842]

I love this channel so much!!! Thank you!!!

[@TheArtTourist]

Thank you for watching!

[@pattiwinn5217]

Great video Thanks

[@andrenewcomb3708]

Interior decorating is just not the same without religious truths. "Without" is nothing more than a shopping trip that strange people dispose of when you leave.

[@cucumbercossa8277]

Thank you for your knowledge ❤️‍🔥

[@JamesAnthonyBro]

I enjoyed this video

[@juankpastor6291]

WOOW!!

[@cobaj6226]

Great content

[@caseymcvay4727]

yay! keep it up

[@BillyMcBride]

Thank you.

[@Alex-ou9lb]

Bravo

[@alprexta2349]

El Greco rules

[@Dino_Medici]

9:39 beauty

[@sddhnntwghmre9351]

✨❤️👍🏼

[@photonsonpixels]

I like your videos but I wish you would slow down a bit to allow more time to enjoy and digest their contents. Thank you.

[@aaroncarl2493]

I know you probably get a lot of video recommendations but I think in would be cool to do a video on Thomas Cole and the Hudson river school art movement.. Thomas Cole is one of my favorite American painters

[@TheArtTourist]

Yes! He’s one of my absolute favorites, too. A Cole/HRS vid is high on the list and coming soon!

[@stephanerichard6267]

I saw some of his work in Toldeo, Spain :)

[@rikilamadrid]

That's a lot of earrings. Great video, keep at it!

[@TheArtTourist]

The more the merrier! ✨Thank you for watching!

[@rikilamadrid]

@@TheArtTourist one can say those are … several circles hehe. Cheers. I’m a fan!

[@TheArtTourist]

Good one! 💥

[@Cainhelm]

Great video - some of his stuff looks proto-expressionist, just 300 years too early. Also, in addition to his son, I thought that Luis Tristan was one of El Greco's more prolific followers.

[@TheArtTourist]

Interesting! You’re right, he seems to have been El Greco’s protege. I’ll have to look into him and learn more!

[@Aurora-bv1ys]

El Greco The Doctor?

[@grantsmith1146]

You still have the cat is the dog your new mascot for this series

[@TheArtTourist]

Nope! Just a special guest :)

[@grantsmith1146]

@@TheArtTourist will the cat return

[@TheArtTourist]

Absolutely! Jimmy is a Several Circles requisite.

[@grantsmith1146]

@@TheArtTourist is Jimmy the cat

[@Dino_Medici]

14:39 lol omfg

[@michele.c5092]

5:57 "IHS" does not allude to the name of jesus in greek, it stands for "in hoc signo" which is latin for "in his name"

[@tomimontana3827]

amazing video thx and also, as a spanish, i dont know if that is the way yall pronounce "toledo" but its extremely wrong haha its ok but I literally didnt know wat u were talking about until I saw the word on screen, really confusing lol

[@TheArtTourist]

Oh no! Good thing we have captions then :) Thanks for watching!

[@bigscarysteve]

Christianity is monotheistic, and hence does not have a pantheon. It is proper to speak of icons being written, not "painted."

[@popculturemanchildren376]

There's a dog now!

[@303cris]

My KZbin crush. 😏

[@lloid6619]

Piquant and prepossessing.

[@michaelbenenson]

Ta.