EL GRECO From Italy to Toledo

Christ with the Cross

Cristo with the Cross depicts a theme from the Passion of Christ. All narrative elements have been eliminated from the scene, focusing solely on the figure of Christ, whose bust fills practically the entire pictorial surface. Wearing a crimson tunic and accompanied only by the cross and the crown of thorns, he is the image of the Son of God, gazing heavenward and conversing with the Father, which also makes this rendering a metaphor for Redemption and Salvation. Against a dark neutral background, the light falls strongly on Christ’s face and hands, both executed with great skill. The numerous different versions of this devotional image produced by El Greco’s workshop indicate that this type of scene was very popular with his clients. Some scholars have identified a work by Sebastiano del Piombo on the same theme, now held at the Museo del Prado, as a precedent for this painting.

Mª Eugenia Alonso

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