Saint Francis of Assisi in Ecstasy (El Greco, 1600) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saint Francis of Assisi in Ecstasy |
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The Prado work.
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| Artist | El Greco |
| Year | c.1600 |
| Medium | oil on canvas |
The painting Saint Francis of Assisi in Ecstasy is a famous artwork by the artist El Greco. It is believed to be a "lost painting," which means the original artwork by El Greco himself is no longer known to exist.
There is a painting from around 1600 that is kept at the Museo del Prado in Spain. This painting is currently shown at the El Greco Museum, Toledo. For a long time, people thought this was the original painting by El Greco. However, experts now believe it is a copy made by someone else. It might have been painted by one of El Greco's students or by another artist working in his studio during the 17th century.
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Understanding El Greco's Artworks
El Greco was a very famous painter from Greece who worked in Spain. He often painted religious scenes, and Saint Francis of Assisi was one of his favorite subjects. Saint Francis was a holy man known for his deep faith and love for nature. El Greco painted him many times, often showing him in a state of deep prayer or "ecstasy."
Why are there Copies of Paintings?
In the past, when an artist like El Greco was very popular, his students or assistants would often make copies of his works. They did this to learn his style or to create more paintings for people who wanted them. Sometimes, these copies were so good that it's hard to tell them apart from the original! This is why the painting at the Prado Museum was thought to be an original El Greco for so long.
Other Paintings of Saint Francis
El Greco created several other paintings that show Saint Francis in similar moments of deep spiritual feeling. These artworks help us understand how El Greco saw and painted this important saint.
- Saint Francis in Ecstasy, painted between 1577 and 1580, can be seen at the Museo Lázaro Galdiano in Madrid.
- Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata, possibly from 1578, is located at the Diocesan Museum in Siedlce, Siedlce.
- Another painting titled Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata, from 1580, is displayed at the Meadows Museum in Dallas.
- The Ecstasy of Saint Francis, created between 1597 and 1603, is part of a private collection.
See also
In Spanish: San Francisco en éxtasis (El Greco, 1600) para niños
