Saint Peter and Saint Paul (El Greco)

Saint Peter and Saint Paul

Artist	El Greco
Year	1590-1600
Type	Oil on canvas
Dimensions	116 cm × 91.8 cm (46 in × 36.1 in)
Location	Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain

Saint Peter and Saint Paul is a painting by El Greco conserved at the National Art Museum of Catalonia.^[1]

Description

After starting as a painter on the Island of Crete, El Greco evolved towards the modern style of art from Venice and later settled in Toledo. The central theme of this picture is the meeting of the two Apostles Peter and Paul, who had been in disagreement. This is hinted at in the greeting with their hands, which cross without actually touching. An ageing, weary Peter seems to make a gesture of surrender or recognition towards Paul, who proudly holds his attribute, the sword. Behind them can be seen a magnificent scene of clouds, with an opening of blue sky that emphasises their saintly halo. This work demonstrates the great narrative and chromatic wealth of the Cretan master's art.^[2]

This painting was first correctly attributed to El Greco by Ernst Friedrich von Liphart.^[3]

References

1. ↑ Guide of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya. MNAC, 2004. ISBN 84-8043-136-9
2. ↑ The artwork at MNAC's Website
3. ↑ Directors of the Imperial Hermitage, Hermitage Museum, retrieved 3 January 2014

External links

• The artwork at Museum's website

Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya Romanesque works Altar frontal from La Seu d'Urgell or of The Apostles Southern apse from Pedret Apse of Santa Maria d'Àneu Apse of Sant Climent de Taüll Erill la Vall Descent from the Cross Batlló Majesty Altar frontal from Avià Paintings from Arlanza Gothic Art works Mural paintings of the Conquest of Majorca Head of Christ Virgin of the Angels Altarpiece of Saint Barbara Nativity and Saint John the Evangelist Altarpiece of the Saints John Virgin of the Consellers Saint Augustine Altarpiece Resurrection of Christ Renaissance and Baroque works Saint Candidus Jean-Claude Richard, abbé of Saint-Non Mural Paintings from the Herrera Chapel Saint Peter and Saint Paul Madonna of Humility Immaculate Conception Martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew St Paul Modern Art works The Spanish Wedding Desolation Ramon Casas and Pere Romeu on a Tandem Confidant from the Batlló House Terraced Village Paloma Cala Forn Portrait of my father Woman in Hat and Fur Collar Still life II The Corpus Christi Procession Leaving the Church of Santa Maria del Mar See also List of artists from the MNAC collection Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya Saint Agnes

El Greco (List of works) Chronology Technique and style Posthumous fame Paintings The Dormition of the Virgin El caballero de la mano en el pecho The Disrobing of Christ (El Espolio) The Burial of the Count of Orgaz View of Toledo Saint Peter and Saint Paul Saint Martin and the Beggar Opening of the Fifth Seal Portrait of a Doctor Portrait of Vincenzo Anastagi The Adoration of the Shepherds Laocoön Retrato de un caballero desconocido St. Francis in Prayer Christ Driving the Money Changers from the Temple Washington Minneapolis London Frick Madrid