El Greco left Rome to find in Spain the patronage that had eluded him in Rome. He had hopes of working for Philip II who was then actively recruiting painters to work at the Escorial. The Adoration of the Name of Jesus must certainly have been made for Philip II, but no documents refer to a commission. The first commission came from the Cathedral of Toledo, for the Disrobing of Christ, the first masterpiece of the artist. The large Martyrdom of St Maurice was commissioned by Philip II, late 1570 or early 1580, for the chapel of the Saint in the church of the Escorial.
Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 4 minutes): Tomás Luis de Victoria: O Domine Jesu, motet |
Summary of paintings by El Greco |
Crete: before 1567 | Venice: 1567-70 | Rome: 1570-75 |
Spain |
1576-80 (page 1) (page 2) | 1581-85 | 1586-90 | 1591-95 | 1596-1600 |
Santo Domingo: 1577-79 | Count Orgaz: 1586-88 | Colegio: 1596-1600 |
Capilla San José: 1597-99 | Illescas: 1603-05 | Apostolado: 1610-14 |
c. 1600 | 1601-05 | 1606-10 | c. 1610 | after 1610 |
Oballe Chapel: 1608-13 | Hospital Tavera: 1608-14 | Drawings | Sculptures |
Subjects |
| Apostles | Saints | Christ | Portraits | |