In Rome, El Greco studied the works of Michelangelo and Raphael. Despite the lack of support (no patrons or public commissions), he improved his art, and the result can be seen in a second version of the Purification of the Temple. The influence of Michelangelo is reflected in the first and second version of the Pietà composition. During his Roman stay El Greco portrayed Giulio Clovio, the miniaturist, for friendship.

Preview	Picture Data	Info
	St Francis Receiving the Stigmata 1570-72 Tempera on panel, 28,8 x 20,6 cm Private collection
	Giulio Clovio 1571-72 Oil on canvas, 58 x 86 cm Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte, Naples
	Mount Sinai 1570-72 Oil and tempera on panel, 41 x 47,5 cm Historical Museum of Crete, Iraklion
	Christ Healing the Blind 1570s Oil on canvas, 119 x 146 cm Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
	Vincenzo Anastagi 1571-76 Oil on canvas, 188 x 127 cm Frick Collection, New York
	A Boy Blowing on an Ember to Light a Candle (Soplón) 1570-72 Oil on canvas, 60,5 x 50,5 cm Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte, Naples
	The Purification of the Temple 1571-76 Oil on canvas, 117 x 150 cm Institute of Arts, Minneapolis
	The Purification of the Temple (detail) 1571-76 Oil on canvas Institute of Arts, Minneapolis
	Pietà (The Lamentation of Christ) 1571-76 Tempera on panel, 29 x 20 cm Museum of Art, Philadelphia
	Pietà c. 1575 Oil on canvas, 66 x 48 cm The Hispanic Society of America, New York
	The Annunciation c. 1576 Oil on canvas, 117 x 98 cm Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid
	Portrait of a Man 1570-75 Oil on canvas, 116 x 98 cm Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen