The Penitent Saint Peter c. 1590 - 1595

El Greco painted 'The Penitent Saint Peter' in oil on canvas, though its exact date remains unknown. Painted in Spain, the artwork reflects the religious fervor of the Counter-Reformation. Saint Peter, holding the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, symbolizes the power of the Catholic Church. But the image is more complex than that: El Greco, who was trained as an icon painter in his native Crete, combines Byzantine spirituality with the dramatic emotionalism that was in vogue with Spanish art at the time. Looking at the image, we can ask: is it just an illustration of religious doctrine, or does it challenge the opulence and power of the Church? To interpret the painting fully, one would need to delve into archival sources and the writings of contemporary theologians and historians. Understanding the historical context allows us to appreciate the painting's subtleties and its potential to either support or subvert the dominant social norms of its time.