On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P00821
- Author
- El Greco (Spanish)
- Title
- The Baptism of Christ
- Chronology
- Ca. 1598
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 350 cm x 144 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- MUSEO DE LA TRINIDAD
- Procedence
- Trinity Museum
This evangelical episode is divided
into two overlapping horizontal
zones joined by the dove, which
symbolizes the Holy Ghost. On the
earthly plane, Christ, nude but for
his loincloth, is framed by a red
cloak, which is the liturgical
color of sacrifice and martyrdom.
On the right, Saint John the
Baptist appears. He wears a camel
skin and, next to him, there is an
axe in a tree trunk, which alludes
to one of his sermons: “And now
also the axe is laid unto the root
of the trees: therefore every tree
which bringeth not forth good fruit
is hewn down, and cast into the
fire ” (Matthew 3:10). This is
part of a broadly used iconography
depicting an axe standing among
vegetation.
On the celestial plane, the
Heavenly Father, rendered like a
Byzantine Pantocrator alongside the
entire angelical hierarchy, makes
the event sacred. El Greco uses his
customary language, with stylized
forms and loose brushstrokes,
obtaining an intensely spiritual
expression.
The work was painted for the main
altarpiece of the church of the
Augustine College of María de
Aragón in Madrid, as were other
works at the Prado Museum.
Location on the map
