The “Apostle St. Andrew” is an oil on canvas painting by the artist El Greco, created around 1612 during the Mannerism (Late Renaissance) art movement. Measuring 97 by 77 centimeters, this religious painting is part of the collection at the Toledo Museum of Art in Toledo, Ohio, United States.
The artwork depicts St. Andrew, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ, identified by his traditional symbol, the diagonal cross, also known as the Saint Andrew’s Cross, which he is holding closely with both hands. The saint is portrayed with a thoughtful, serene expression, gazing slightly upwards, which may suggest contemplation or revelation of the divine. St. Andrew’s clothing is rendered with vibrant colors and dynamic folds, characteristic of El Greco’s style, including a bright green garment that wraps around his body, and a contrasting blue undergarment. The use of dramatic lighting and shadow in combination with the saint’s intense and slightly elongated features exemplifies the Mannerist approach to religious subjects, emphasizing emotion and spirituality over the naturalistic representation found in the earlier Renaissance.
