El Greco
It was once said of El Greco that he painted with a fragment of a wooden cross, without making corrections, so that "every patch of paint corresponds to God's will." While this tale is not factual, it captures the essence of his work: febrile visions that seem to arise spontaneously from loosely defined, impetuous forms, touched by a mystic force. Yet, it is not divine intervention but the artist’s profound faith and extraordinary talent that created a new unity, merging Christendom’s two great painting traditions.
Domenikos Theotokopoulos, born in Crete, was already a master of traditional icon painting before being captivated by the modern Western styles of Titian and Tintoretto. Despite his journeys to Venice, Rome, and ultimately Spain, he remained, in spirit, "El Greco"—"the Greek."
In his depiction of Mary Magdalene, a former harlot turned devoted follower of Jesus, El Greco captures the moment of her spiritual ecstasy. Following Titian's lead, he condenses her transformation into a single instant of revelation. But while Titian infused the scene with erotic undertones, El Greco's approach is transcendent: a blinding beam of light purifies Mary Magdalene, nearly lifting her beyond the confines of physicality. The skull, symbolizing earthly mortality, has rolled from her grasp, while ivy, representing eternal life, stretches upward toward the heavens. The cold, pale tones of the dawn landscape echo the spiritual catharsis emanating from her moment of divine connection, creating an atmosphere both ethereal and deeply introspective.
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P.P.S. Did you know Mary Magdalene was very ... hairy? Here's why!