El Greco: Man, myth and manner

Location: Greek Centre, Mezzanine, 168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 
Date: THURSDAY 17/8/2017 @ 7:00pm 
Presenter: Dr Alfred Vincent
Entry: FREE

Synopsis

Dominikos Theotokopoulos, El Greco (c.1540-1614), is still, in some ways, an enigma. With the aid of Powerpoint slides, we will trace the development of this great artist's work over the years, from Crete to Venice, Rome and Spain, while aiming to address some basic questions.

How do recent discoveries about his early life affect our understanding of his work? How is his art related to the post-Byzantine tradition in which he was trained? What is his relation to the Mannerist style that was spreading throughout Europe in his time? (Hence the word "manner" in the title.) How did he fit into the militant Catholic society of his adopted country, Spain, so different from that of his homeland, Crete? How is it that so many myths have grown up about El Greco?

Bio

Alfred has a degree in Classics, a PhD on a Modern Greek topic, and an honorary doctorate (2002) from the University of Crete. In 1973 he was appointed to introduce Modern Greek studies at the University of Sydney, where he taught until 1998 and is now an honorary affiliate.

Much of his research has been on the society and culture of Venetian Crete; he has worked extensively on primary sources as a guest of the Hellenic Institute in Venice. His recent publications include an edition, with introduction, of the Cretan narrative poem The Shepherdess (Η Βοσκοπούλα, c. 1600 AD), published in Greek at the University of Thessaloniki (2016).

Other interests include Greek music (ancient and modern), humour and comedy, and Greek writers in the Romanian lands. He has been a founding member and secretary of the Sydney branch of the International Society of Friends of Nikos Kazantzakis. He has contributed to the Greek Festival of Sydney for many years, giving talks and co-ordinating concerts and other events.

Sponsors

We thank the following donor: Tom Koletsos | Konstandina Dounis in mem. of her parents Sophia and Theodoros Dounis | Sophia Atlas-White | George Ballas OAM.

During the course of the year considerable expenses are incurred in staging the seminars. In order to mitigate these costs individuals or organisations are invited to donate against a lecture of their choice. 

You too can donate for one or more seminars and (optionally) let your name or brand be known as a patron of culture to our members, visitors and followers, as well as the broader artistic and cultural community of Melbourne. Please email: info@greekcommunity.com.au or call 03 9662 2722.

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