El Greco at the Prado Museum

Who was El Greco? 

El Greco (born Doménikos Theotokópoulos, 1541–1614) was a visionary artist of the Spanish Renaissance whose style defied convention. Originally from Crete—then part of the Republic of Venice—he trained in Byzantine icon painting before moving to Venice and later Rome, where he absorbed the techniques of the Italian Renaissance. Eventually, El Greco settled in Toledo, Spain, where he developed a dramatic and spiritual style uniquely his own.

Characterized by elongated figures, vibrant color palettes, and a striking emotional intensity, El Greco’s works were often underappreciated in his time. It was later that his work was celebrated as a precursor to Expressionism and Cubism. Today, he is recognized as one of the most important and original painters of Western art, with several of his most stunning works found at the Prado Museum.

Tips for your visit to the Prado Museum 

• Reaching the Prado Museum as soon as it opens at 10am is the best way to cut down on the amount of time you’ll spend waiting to buy your ticket. 
  
• Even better? Book your tickets online. This way, you’ll completely skip waiting in line for your tickets and can proceed directly to the security check.
  
• If you want expert insights from someone who knows the museum’s collection inside out, you should book the Museo del Prado Guided Tour. If you want to combine a guided tour to the Prado Museum with another notable Madrid icon, you can also book the Museo del Prado & Royal Palace of Madrid Guided Tour or the Museo del Prado & Reina Sofia Museum Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Entry. 

Pro tip: Ask your guide about the time El Greco was forced out of Rome by artists loyal to Michelangelo. It’s quite the story!