Greco exhibition at the Grand Palais in Paris

From October 16, 2019 until February 10, 2020, visitors to the Grand Palais can see a major retrospective of El Greco's work. This is a unique opportunity to discover the incredible works of an artist, who though not well known, helped define the Spanish Renaissance and influenced various art movements that followed.

Domenico Theotokopoulos, known by his professional name "El Greco", is celebrated for his major works “The Tears of St. Peter” and “The Assumption of the Virgin” amongst others. He began his career painting icons in the Byzantine Orthodox tradition, popular in 16th century, but gradually his painting style evolved to a much more personal level which made him stand out from his peers.

Inspired by Titian, Tintoretto and the works of Michelangelo, El Greco’s innovative and daring compositions cement his place in the history of painting, and many of his most important works are on show at the Grand Palais from October 16, 2019.

Today he is recognised as the last great master painter of the Renaissance and first great painter of the Golden Age. He achieved great success during his lifetime but after his death in 1614, his work was largely forgotten or ignored. It wasn’t until the beginning of the 20th century that his work re-emerged and he was accorded the recognition he deserved, championed by artists such as Picasso.

Retrospective El Greco, a fabulous first in France

The Grand Palais is the perfect location to host the first French exhibition dedicated to this remarkable artist and to highlight his masterpieces. Since its inauguration in 1900, the historic Grand Palais with its magnificent exhibitions, grand salons and exceptional events, has constantly reinvented itself. The next reincarnation begins in December 2020 when the Grand Palais will close for a three year long major metamorphosis.

The Grand Palais in Paris