The artwork “Coronation of the Virgin” by El Greco was created circa 1604 in Spain. It is an oil painting on canvas, measuring 163 by 220 centimeters, and is an example of Mannerism, which is part of the Late Renaissance movement. The genre of the painting is religious, depicting a significant event in the Christian narrative.
The artwork portrays a celestial scene with the Virgin Mary at the fore. She is seated and dressed in a deep blue robe with a red garment beneath, her hands placed together in a gesture of prayer. Above her, Jesus Christ extends his hand towards her crown, emphasizing the coronation moment. He is clad in rich, flowing garments and is accompanied by God the Father, who presents an orb, symbolizing the universe. Between them is the Holy Spirit, represented as a dove radiating divine light, completing the Christian concept of the Holy Trinity.
They are surrounded by an ensemble of cherubim and angels that occupy the space around and beneath them, adding to the heavenly ambiance of the composition. The figures demonstrate El Greco’s characteristic elongation and swirling, expressive drapery, elements that accentuate the supernatural atmosphere. The color palette is dominated by chiaroscuro, the dramatic contrast between light and dark, a technique that El Greco utilized to underline the spiritual and transcendental essence of the scene, which was typical of his visionary style. The artwork’s oval format further adds to the dynamism and movement, guiding the viewer’s gaze through the evocative tableau.
