Art Collections Online
The Disrobing of Christ
GRECO, Domenico Theotokopuli; El (1541 - 1614), workshop of
Media: oil on canvas
Size: 130.0 x 163.0 cm
Acquired: 1952; Bequest; Gwendoline Davies
Accession Number: NMW A 5
Collection: The Davies Sisters Collection
This painting shows the dramatic moment when soldiers strip Christ of his clothes ready for the Crucifixion. Unusually, the incident is depicted at night, lit by a torch, with divine illumination descending from Heaven to Christ's head through a triangular gap in the clouds. The artist’s real name was Domenikos Theotokopoulus. Born in Crete, he later moved to Spain, where he was called El Greco - the Greek. The brushwork and elongated figures here are typical of the Mannerist style, where figures are distorted for dramatic effect. Many variations of this composition exist. The primary version of The Disrobing of Christ is a full-length painting in Toledo Cathedral, dated 1577-79.
Comments - (3)
Many thanks,
Graham Davies, Online Curator
Is this available as a poster please?