The artwork, “Apostle St. James the Less,” is a religious painting created by renowned artist El Greco around the year 1612 in Spain. This oil on canvas masterpiece measures 97 by 77 cm and is a testament to the Mannerism movement, which was prevalent in the Late Renaissance. The piece is currently housed in the El Greco Museum located in Toledo, Spain.
The artwork depicts St. James the Less, an apostle who is often identified by his attribute, the book. Here, he is portrayed with sensitivity and intensity, characteristics common to El Greco’s figures. His face embodies a contemplative gaze, perhaps indicative of wisdom and inward reflection. Clad in a flowing robe with a palette comprising mainly of muted earth tones juxtaposed against the stark white of his garment, St. James the Less is represented with typical elongated limbs and hands—an idiosyncratic feature of El Greco’s stylistic approach. The book he holds is detailed, signifying its importance, possibly alluding to the New Testament epistle attributed to him. The background is subdued, possessing dark tones that accentuate the figure of the apostle and give prominence to the emotional and spiritual gravity of the subject. Overall, the artwork exudes a spiritual aura that aligns with its religious genre, deeply resonating with El Greco’s penchant for capturing ethereal and mystical qualities in his subjects.
