1. Artistic Vision and Expression:
* El Greco possessed an intensely personal and passionate artistic vision. He was deeply influenced by the Venetian Renaissance, especially Titian, but he also experimented with elongated figures, vibrant colors, and dramatic compositions. These stylistic choices allowed him to express his own individual style and emotional depth.
2. Religious Devotion:
* El Greco was a devout Catholic. He received a commission from the Archbishop of Toledo to paint numerous altarpieces and religious works. He imbued these paintings with deep religious symbolism and emotion, aiming to inspire faith and awe in viewers.
3. Patronage and Commissions:
* El Greco was a skilled businessman and actively sought out patrons. He received commissions from wealthy individuals, the Church, and the Spanish Crown. These commissions provided him with financial stability and allowed him to create large-scale masterpieces.
4. Personal Ambition:
* El Greco was a highly ambitious artist who sought to achieve recognition and acclaim. He believed in his talent and aimed to elevate his work above the standards of his contemporaries.
5. Cultural Context:
* El Greco's paintings reflected the cultural and religious context of Spain in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The Counter-Reformation, a period of religious revival in the Catholic Church, influenced his work with its emphasis on emotional piety and dramatic imagery.
Ultimately, El Greco painted to express his artistic vision, fulfill religious commissions, secure financial stability, achieve personal recognition, and reflect the cultural context of his time. His unique style and passionate approach to painting established him as a major figure in the history of art.