The Metropolitan Museum of Art has installed what it calls a "Landmark El Greco Retrospective" (through January 11, 2004), and indeed, this is a major show with nearly 70 works by the artist, whose real name was Domenikos Theotokopoulos but is known the world over as El Greco. He lived from 1541-1614 and achieved great strength as an artist who gathered inspiration from religious lore.
The trajectory of the exhibit traces his career from icon painting in Crete to the study of Italian art in Venice and Rome and ultimately his move to Toledo in Spain. Among the most commanding works in the exhibit are "The Domination of the Virgin," "The Adoration of the Shepherds," "Christ Healing the Blind,"' The Adoration of the Name of Jesus," "The Virgin of the Immaculate Conception" and "Saint Peter." The passion and feeling which El Greco gets into his faces is amazing.
Take my word--this is one of those must-see exhibitions. At the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street. Phone: 212-535-7710.