Introduced by Humphrey Burton Paintings by El Greco
This is the first of a special Omnibus trilogy, which shows the beauty and splendour of master-pieces by three great painters: EL GRECO , TITIAN and VELAZQUEZ.
The series as a whole grows out of the fire and zeal of Spain's ' Golden Age'; Paintings by El Greco begins in Toledo, the ancient capital of Spain, city of swords and the Cid, seat of the Inquisition and El Greco 's chosen home.
Detail from St Luke ' by El Greco
EL GRECO
1541-1614
Domenikos Theotocopoulos , who became known to the world as El Greco , was born about 1541 in Crete, the island which had been an outpost of the Byzantine Empire and was then under
Venetian rule.
At the age of 25 he travelled to Venice itself and became a pupil in Titian's studio. Then in 1577 El Greco settled in Toledo, which rivalled Rome as a spiritual centre, and he remained there for the rest of his life, working on a succession of prestigious church commissions, including the huge
' Espolio ' for the Cathedral, and his even more ambitious ' Burial of the Count of Orgaz '. both explored at length in tonight's programme.
In 1614 El Greco died in Toledo, the city which he had adopted, and which is filled with his work and presence to this day.
Tonight's programme shows El Greco 's finest paintings, ablaze with colour and exaltation, all specially photographed where they hang today in Toledo's churches and great Cathedral, and in the stupendous national collection of the Prado Museum, Madrid. Taking part:
Allan Braham , National Gallery
Nigel Glendinning , Professor of Spanish, London University Eric Young, art historian
Xavier de Salas, Director of the Prado Museum
Stills photography MICHAEL SANDERS
Executive producer BARRIE GAVIN Producer
CHRISTOPHER BURSTALL