Saint Peter And Saint Paul 1590 - 1600

Saint Peter and Saint Paul was painted by El Greco in the late 16th or early 17th century with oil on canvas. With its visible brushwork, impasto textures, and elongated figures, the painting demonstrates the sheer physicality of oil paint. The striking color palette and dramatic lighting effects are typical of El Greco's style. What I find especially striking is the amount of labor involved in a painting like this. Pigments had to be ground and mixed by hand. El Greco likely employed assistants in his workshop. The canvas itself would have been carefully prepared, stretched, and primed to receive the paint. The sword and keys are important visual clues. The sword represents Saint Paul’s martyrdom. The keys represent Saint Peter’s role as the first Pope. Understanding all this allows us to see beyond the traditional art history framing of ‘genius’ towards a broader appreciation of the materials, making, and context of El Greco's work.