Academy of Johns Hopkins, History of Art Dept. celebrates El Greco

The Academy of Johns Hopkins and the Department of the History of Art celebrated the legacy of El Greco 400 years after his death on Oct. 24.

“Because this is the 400th anniversary his death, we thought this would be the perfect way to celebrate his history and art, especially as there is going to be an exhibition of his work opening [at the National Gallery of Art],” historian and Arthur O. Lovejoy Professor Richard Kagan, the organizer of the event, said.

A once-forgotten artist, El Greco’s mystique and persona were illuminated through the presenters and their subjects in his paintings.

“He was the precursor to modern art, the prophet of modern art, and [these qualities speak] to why he was taken up by Picasso and other artists at the start of the twentieth century.”

There were numerous speakers from Hopkins, including Professor Felipe Pereda, Nancy H. and Robert E. Hall Professor of the Humanities, who presented “New Thoughts on El Greco’s Burial of the Count of Orgaz,” an in-depth analysis of the painting considered one of El Greco’s finest pieces. Pereda highlighted El Greco’s controversial role in history.

“Since his own time, he was the kind of artist who struggled a lot with the institutions of his time, like the church or the king. Very often they were disappointed with his results, but at the same time, he was able to make a good living,” Pereda said.

Other lecturers included Erin Rowe, assistant professor in the Department of History, Fernando Marias, professor of Art History at the Autonomous University of Madrid and José Riello, assistant professor of Art History at the Autonomous University of Madrid.

Kagan also presented at the event, his lecture titled, "The Discovery and the Collecting of El Greco in Europe and the United States.”

As a historian, he highlighted the craze over El Greco in the early twentieth century.

“I’m talking about the cult of El Greco in the United States. Starting in the early 20th century, everybody wanted an El Greco. It was a feeding frenzy…for the most part, people wanted an El Greco not just because it was an El Greco, but because they saw him as a prophet. They saw him as a precursor of modern art. It’s a disease that went viral,” Kagan said.

Members of The Academy, various Hopkins departments and undergraduates attended the event.

Established two years ago, The Academy is an organization in which retired professors are able to pursue furthered study and attend interdisciplinary events. Kagan was pleased with the turnout of the event, especially as The Academy’s second public event ever.

From The Academy, Professor of Political Science Joseph Cooper was in attendance. He said he was pleased with the event.

Professor of Biophysics Ludwig Brand also thought that the event was both informative and enjoyable.

“We’re in very different fields. I’m in Biophysics, and he’s in Government,” he said, pointing to Cooper. “I never got to do things like this, and I’m glad to have the time, now.”

Senior Emily Rezes said that her favorite talk was Pereda’s “New Thoughts on El Greco’s Burial of the Count of Orgaz.”