The Nobleman with his Hand on his Chest
by El Greco, 1580
Details
- Year
- 1580
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
- Size
- 81 cm × 66 cm (31.9 × 26 in)
El Greco painted The Nobleman with his Hand on his Chest around 1580, shortly after arriving in Toledo. The unidentified gentleman places his hand over his heart in a gesture suggesting an oath or pledge. His penetrating dark eyes and elongated face became hallmarks of El Greco's portraiture.
The plain black clothing follows Spanish court fashion, where austere dress signified nobility more than flashy colors. Only the white ruff and gold sword hilt break the darkness. The restraint focuses all attention on the face and that pledging hand.
This portrait became one of the most recognized images in Spanish art, reproduced on stamps and currency. The Prado displays it as El Greco's most accessible work.
