EL GRECO - View of Toledo

THE ARTWORK

"View of Toledo" is a renowned painting by El Greco, completed around 1599-1600. It is considered one of his most famous landscapes and a masterpiece of Spanish Renaissance art. The painting depicts the city of Toledo, Spain, where El Greco lived and worked for much of his life.

In "View of Toledo," El Greco presents a highly stylized and imaginative portrayal of the city. The composition is characterized by a dramatic contrast between light and shadow, with dark storm clouds looming overhead and sunlight illuminating the cityscape and distant mountains. The architecture of Toledo is depicted with meticulous detail, emphasizing its historic landmarks such as the Alcázar and the Cathedral.

El Greco's handling of color and light in this painting is particularly notable, as he uses bold and vibrant hues to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. The sky, in particular, is rendered in swirling, expressive brushstrokes that add to the dramatic effect of the scene.

"View of Toledo" is celebrated not only for its technical virtuosity but also for its evocative power and emotional intensity. It exemplifies El Greco's unique style, which combined elements of Byzantine iconography with Renaissance ideals and a visionary approach to depicting landscapes and architecture.

THE ARTIST

El Greco, whose real name was Doménikos Theotokópoulos (1541–1614), was a Greek painter, sculptor, and architect who is considered one of the foremost figures of the Spanish Renaissance and the Spanish Baroque periods. "El Greco" means "The Greek" in Spanish.

Born in Crete, then part of the Republic of Venice, El Greco studied icon painting before moving to Venice and later to Spain, where he spent most of his career.

El Greco's style is characterized by its elongated figures, intense colors, and dramatic lighting effects, which contribute to a unique and distinctive visual language. His works often depict religious subjects, portraits, and landscapes, infused with spiritual and emotional depth. One of his most famous works is "The Burial of the Count of Orgaz," located in the Church of Santo Tomé in Toledo, Spain, where he spent the latter part of his life.

El Greco's artistic vision and technique were ahead of his time and had a profound influence on later artists, including the expressionists and modernists. His legacy continues to be celebrated for its innovation, emotional intensity, and spiritual resonance in art history.

THE PRINT

• A4 Size = 29.7cm x 21cm = 11.7" x 8.25"
• A3 Size = 42cm x 29.7cm = 16.5" x 11.7"
• High resolution giclée print - 600dpi
• Printed to order
• Unframed & unmounted
• Professionally printed using Canon imagePROGRAF printers
• Digitally restored by OharaPrints from high resolution scans of the original artwork
• Made in and shipped from Casterton, Victoria, Australia

PAPER

• Canson Infinity - Arches BFK Rives White
• Paper weight = 310gsm
• 100% cotton
• Archival, museum grade
• Acid free
• No OBAs (optical brightening agents)

Arches BFK Rives is a high-quality, archival-grade paper manufactured at the Arches paper mill in France - one of the oldest papermakers in Europe. It is made from 100% cotton rag using a time-honoured manufacturing process, giving the paper exceptional durability, longevity, and resistance to yellowing or deterioration over time. Despite its substantial weight and thickness it maintains a very soft and supple feel. The paper has a natural white tone and is completely free of any optical brighteners (OBAs), allowing for superb colour rendition and deep blacks.

INK

• Canon Lucia Pro Inks
• Pigment based
• Archival, museum-grade
• Brilliant colours, even gradient and razor-sharp lines
• Highly stable and fade resistant, excellent humidity-fastness

SHIPPING & HANDLING

• All orders are dispatched on the NEXT BUSINESS DAY after receiving the order
• All prints are shipped via AUSTRALIA POST with TRACKING
• For postage rates and estimated delivery times please see our SHIPPING page
• All prints are shipped flat, not rolled
• Each print is individually placed into a resealable, archival grade plastic protective sleeve
• Prints are carefully packaged in very sturdy 700gsm cardboard envelopes, along with 1050gsm boxboard sheets which provide extra strength & rigidity to prevent bending or folding during transit