Saint James the Great (El Greco) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saint James the Great |
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| Artist | El Greco |
| Year | 1610 |
| Medium | oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 72 cm × 55 cm (28 in × 22 in) |
| Location | Museo del Prado, Madrid |
Saint James the Great is a famous painting created in 1610 by the artist El Greco. It shows Saint James the Great, an important figure in Christianity. Today, you can see this painting at the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain.
This artwork was part of a larger group of paintings El Greco made. He created them for a church in Almadrones, Spain. These paintings were different versions of a series he had already painted for the Toledo Cathedral. That series showed the twelve apostles, who were followers of Jesus.
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Who Was El Greco?
El Greco was a Greek painter, sculptor, and architect of the Spanish Renaissance. His real name was Doménikos Theotokópoulos. He is known for his unique style, which often features long, thin figures and bright, unusual colors. He spent most of his life in Spain, where he became very famous.
El Greco's Style
El Greco's art is easy to spot. He used strong colors and dramatic lighting. His figures often look stretched out, making them seem spiritual and otherworldly. He painted many religious scenes and portraits. His work is a mix of Byzantine art from his homeland and Western art he learned in Italy and Spain.
What is an Apostle?
An apostle is a person who is sent out to teach others. In Christianity, the twelve apostles were the main followers of Jesus. They helped spread his teachings after he was gone. Saint James the Great was one of these twelve apostles.
Saint James the Great
Saint James the Great was one of Jesus's closest disciples. He was a fisherman before he followed Jesus. He is often shown in art as a pilgrim, wearing a hat and carrying a staff. He is the patron saint of Spain.
Where is the Painting Now?
The painting Saint James the Great is kept at the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain. This museum is one of the most famous art museums in the world. It has a huge collection of European art, especially Spanish art.
See also
