The artwork “St. Jacobus” by El Greco dates back to circa 1600 and was created in Spain. This oil on canvas painting measures 72 by 55 cm and is housed in the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain. It belongs to the Mannerism movement, an evolution from the High Renaissance, and is categorized as a religious painting.
In the painting, St. Jacobus is depicted with expressive features characteristic of El Greco’s style. The saint has a gaunt, intense face with a strongly defined nose, dark eyes, and a look that seems to penetrate the viewer. His dark beard contrasts with his pale, luminous skin, reflecting a sense of inner spirituality. He is wearing a robe that drapes heavily around him, and its folds capture the dynamism and the subtle interplay of light and shadow, which is typical of El Greco’s technique. The overall tone of the painting is somber, emphasizing the serious and contemplative nature of the subject. The brushwork is loose and fluid, lending the artwork a vibrant, almost ethereal quality that is a hallmark of the Mannerism movement.
