Abstract

Domenikos Theotokopoulos, widely known as “El Greco”, is considered one of the most important and influential artists in world history. The most fascinating aspect of his work is his ever-evolving artistic transformation as he physically moved from his homeland of Crete, to Italy and finally to Spain. Recent archival discoveries and studies of his social and family circles have brought to light unknown details of his life that have contributed to a revised understanding of his art and personality.

This presentation will provide an broad synopsis of El Greco’s life and career as an artist between Candia (Heraklion), Venice, Rome and Toledo. Particular reference to some of his most iconic works as representative of his artistic genius and reflective of his sense of cultural identity will permit an overview of the historical, socio-economic and cultural networks that effectively framed his art.

In addition, this presentation will also address aspects of the technique, style and materiality of the art of the great Master. This will be possible through the results of technical imaging and physico-chemical analysis of selected works performed at the Andreas Pittas Art Characterization Laboratories of the Science and Technology in Archaeology and Culture Research Center (STARC) of the Cyprus Institute.

About The Speaker

Dr. Andreas Pittas studied medicine in Austria where he received a Doctorate degree from the University of Karl-Franz in Graz in 1968. He is founder and Executive Chairman of Medochemie Ltd. He is member in international scientific committees such as the British Association of Pharmaceutical Physicians and the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine of the Royal Colleges of Physicians (UK).

In Cyprus, he has served on the Board of Directors of numerous public companies and private organizations. He has been President of the Federation of Employers and Industrialists and served in the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Human Resource Development Authority. He is Head of the Committee for Research and Innovation at the Employers Association and serves in the Board of Governors of the Cyprus International Institute of Management.

Dr. Pittas is also committed to the promotion of research and education in the humanities and culture, as well as, an avid supporter of the arts. He received the title of the Commendatore Della Republica Italiana in 2007, and in 2012, the highest distinction of the Grande Ufficiale of the Italian Republic by the Italian President for his contribution in business and cultural matters. In 2018 he was awarded with the Gold Medal of the Apostle Paul by the Archbishop of Cyprus.

He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Cyprus Research and Educational Foundation and is Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Cyprus Institute. In 2018, the Cyprus Institute awarded Dr. Pittas an Institute Doctorate Honoris Causa in “Science and Technology in Cultural Heritage” acknowledging his work as a scientist, innovator and manager of technological enterprise, and, in recognition of his contributions as a civic leader, philanthropist and patron of the arts and culture.

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