El Greco, View of Toledo c. 1597

Ive always admired Domenikos Theotokopoulos, better known as El Greco ever since I did a report on his life in high school. Looking at this painting of Toledo, youd think this painting is from the late 1800's, during the time of Van Gogh or the Impressionists. In fact, his paintings were 're-discovered' in the late 1800s after languishing in obscurity; he was simply ahead of his time. His bold renderings of landscapes and portraits prefigured Modern Art wherein the artist isnt merely trying to capture reality, but is seeking to add a transendence, an almost mystical quality, to his paintings, inspiring such Moderns as Picasso.