GRECO, El
(b. 1541, Candia, d. 1614, Toledo)

St Joseph and the Christ Child

c. 1600
Oil on canvas, 109 x 56 cm
Museo de Santa Cruz, Toledo

This signed painting repeats the composition of the central painting of the altarpiece in the Capilla de San José in Toledo.

A concentration on depictions of St Joseph in Spain began with an emphasis on his worship by Theresa of Ávila (1515-1582; canonized in 1622), who would become Spain's national saint. El Greco's choice of an elongated figure against a background of agitated sky would subsequently be extended to the depiction of other figures.