Saint Louis (El Greco) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saint Louis |
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| Artist | El Greco |
| Year | 1592–1595 |
| Medium | oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 120 cm × 96 cm (47 in × 38 in) |
| Location | Louvre, Paris |
Saint Louis is a famous painting created by the Spanish artist El Greco between 1592 and 1595. El Greco painted this artwork while he was living in Toledo, Spain. Today, you can see this beautiful painting in the Louvre museum, which is located in Paris, France.
What the Painting Shows
This painting shows Louis IX of France, who was a king and later became known as Saint Louis. In the artwork, he is wearing shiny 16th-century armor and a royal crown. He holds a fleur de lys, which is a special symbol of his family, and a scepter, a traditional staff carried by kings.
Some art experts, like Gregorio Marañon and Manuel Bartolomé Cossío, believe that El Greco might have used a patient from a hospital or an old picture as a model for the king's face.
Who Was Saint Louis?
Louis IX was a very important king in French history. He was also the grandson of Alfonso VIII of Castile, a king from Spain. Because of this family connection, Saint Louis was highly respected in both France and Spain during the late 1500s. It's interesting to note that no Spanish king was officially recognized as a saint (called "canonised") until Ferdinand III of Castile received this honor much later, in 1671.
How the Painting Was Made
The painting was ordered by Luis de Castilla, who was a good friend of El Greco. Luis de Castilla would later become the person in charge of El Greco's will after the artist passed away. Saint Louis was also Luis de Castilla's patron saint, meaning he was named after him.
For some time, the painting was kept at the château de Chenonceau, a famous castle in France. Then, in 1903, the Louvre museum bought it, and it has been there ever since.
Recently, the painting was cleaned and restored. During this process, experts discovered a hidden cityscape in the background! This city is actually Toledo, Spain, where El Greco lived and worked. It's like a secret message from the past!
See also
In Spanish: San Luis, rey de Francia (El Greco) para niños
