The Fable (El Greco) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Fable |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Artist | El Greco |
| Year | 1580 |
| Medium | oil on canvas |
| Location | Museo del Prado, Madrid |
The Fable (Spanish: La Fábula) is a famous painting created by the artist El Greco around 1580. It is an allegorical painting, which means it tells a story or teaches a lesson using symbols and characters. This artwork was made early in El Greco's time living in Toledo, Spain, and you can see it today at the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain.
Contents
About The Fable Painting
This painting is special because of how El Greco used light and colors. He learned a lot about these techniques from another artist named Jacopo Bassano while he was in Italy. The painting shows three main figures: a monkey, a person often called a "rogue" (meaning a mischievous person), and a young boy.
What Does the Painting Show?
In the center of the painting, a boy is blowing on a small ember or a candle wick. He is trying to make a flame bigger. On one side of the boy is a monkey, and on the other side is a man who looks like he might be laughing or watching closely.
The Meaning Behind the Scene
The scene with the boy blowing on an ember was a popular idea for artists at the time. El Greco himself painted it before, in a work called El Soplón. This idea came from an ancient book called Naturalis Historia by Pliny the Elder. In this old story, it talks about how humans learned to make fire. The painting might be showing us how important fire was for people, or perhaps it's a lesson about how difficult it can be to start something new. The monkey and the rogue might represent different human traits or reactions to this effort.
Who Was El Greco?
El Greco was a Greek painter, sculptor, and architect of the Spanish Renaissance. His real name was Doménikos Theotokópoulos. He is known for his unique style, which often includes long, thin figures and dramatic colors. He spent most of his life in Spain, where he created many famous religious paintings and portraits. His art is still admired today for its strong emotions and spiritual feeling.
See also
In Spanish: La fábula (El Greco) para niños
- List of works by El Greco
