“The Trinity”
This large-scale oil on canvas painting, titled “The Trinity”, is by the Greek artist of the Spanish Renaissance, El Greco. It was painted between 1577 and 1579. This piece is part of a series of paintings that El Greco created for the Santo Domingo el Antiguo church in Toledo, Spain. It was commissioned by the Dean of Toledo, Diego de Castilla. It was one of El Greco’s first commissions after arriving in Toledo earlier that year.
“The Trinity” was hung in the attic of the high altarpiece above “The Assumption”, another work by El Greco. When the painting was revealed, it was highly praised by critics and the public alike. As a result, El Greco received many more commissions. This painting remained in possession of the church until 1832, when it was purchased by the King of Spain, Fernando VII.
In this painting, El Greco depicts Jesus as he is ascending into Heaven. The Holy Trinity is represented by God the Father, Jesus the son, and a dove as the Holy Spirit. God the Father is depicted holding Jesus’s broken body. He wears an Eastern style miter on top of his head. Jesus’s body is also being supported by several cherubs at his feet and behind his back. The dove is above everyone descending from heaven.
To many, the influence of Michelangelo is clearly seen, via the musculature of the figures. Interestingly, El Greco was outspoken against Michelangelo’s style, saying that “he was a good man, but he did not know how to paint”. The influence of Titian’s style can be seen in the overall brighter color palette of the painting.
“The Trinity” is currently on display at the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid, Spain.
For more on El Greco, please visit his short biography here.
You can find more artists to learn about here.
