St. Francis and Brother Rufus 1606

El Greco's "St. Francis and Brother Rufus," a canvas of about 1600, presents a study in contrasts of light and shadow. The ochre robes of the figures emerge from a dark, indeterminate background, creating a powerful chiaroscuro effect. The composition is structured around the gaze of St. Francis, which is directed downwards towards the skull he cradles—a vanitas symbol that speaks to mortality. Brother Rufus kneels in the lower left, his form diminutive in comparison, almost fading into the darkness. El Greco uses the formal device of dramatic lighting to illuminate St. Francis's contemplation, which is juxtaposed with Rufus's devotional pose, creating a visual dialogue on faith and asceticism. The artist employs a Mannerist style, elongating the figures and distorting the perspective. This artistic choice destabilizes naturalistic representation, inviting a subjective, spiritual interpretation, rather than a literal one. The skull is not merely an object but a signifier of the human condition—challenging our understanding of existence.