Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Domenikos Theotocopoulos

Domenikos Theotocopoulos

9.9
The original name of El Greco, a Greek-born painter in Spain known for long thin figures and strong color
  • proper noun
: Domenikos Theotocopoulos
  • The famous painter Domenikos Theotocopoulos is better known as El Greco.

Examples

  • The works of Domenikos Theotocopoulos are famous for their emotional intensity and distinctive style.

  • Domenikos Theotocopoulos spent much of his career in Toledo, producing paintings that are still admired worldwide.

  • Art historians often refer to Domenikos Theotocopoulos when discussing the influence of Greek artists in the Spanish Renaissance.

  • Did Domenikos Theotocopoulos really live in Toledo for most of his life?

  • Domenikos Theotocopoulos was an influential artist whose innovative style transformed religious painting in Spain.

  • Many art lovers appreciate the masterpieces created by Domenikos Theotocopoulos during the 16th century.

  • In discussions about European art history, Domenikos Theotocopoulos is often highlighted for his unique contributions.

Synonyms

Greco
vsDomenikos Theotocopoulos
4 9.0

A Spanish painter of Greek origin who painted religious scenes with long figures and bright color

is his birth name rather than his chosen professional name
El Greco
vsDomenikos Theotocopoulos
2 8.2

Spanish painter born in Greece who painted long, thin figures and strong colors

is his birth name rather than the widely used professional name

Surface Forms

Domenikos Theotocopoulos main

Morphology

Domenikos + Theotocopoulos

This is a personal name made of proper nouns that carry no compositional semantic content; knowing the constituents 'Domenikos' and 'Theotocopoulos' does not indicate the referent or the fact that it is El Greco. Proper names are referential and arbitrary across languages, so a B1 learner cannot derive the MWE's meaning from its parts.

Etymology

Domenikos Theotocopoulos was the artist's original Greek name from Crete. When he moved to Spain people called him El Greco ('the Greek'), so this long Greek name is the birth name of the famous painter we now know for his dramatic, long figures.