In Rome, El Greco studied the works of Michelangelo and Raphael. Despite the lack of support (no patrons or public commissions), he improved his art, and the result can be seen in a second version of the Purification of the Temple. The influence of Michelangelo is reflected in the first and second version of the Pietà composition. During his Roman stay El Greco portrayed Giulio Clovio, the miniaturist, for friendship.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 22 minutes): Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina: Missa brevis

Preview	Picture Data	File Info	Comment
	St Francis Receiving the Stigmata 1570-72 Tempera on panel, 28,8 x 20,6 cm Private collection	800*1125 True Color 184 Kb
	Giulio Clovio 1571-72 Oil on canvas, 58 x 86 cm Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte, Naples	1384*1000 True Color 123 Kb
	Mount Sinai 1570-72 Oil and tempera on panel, 41 x 47,5 cm Historical Museum of Crete, Iraklion	1030*866 True Color 188 Kb
	Christ Healing the Blind 1570s Oil on canvas, 119 x 146 cm Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York	750*588 True Color 158 Kb
	Vincenzo Anastagi 1571-76 Oil on canvas, 188 x 127 cm Frick Collection, New York	850*1261 True Color 148 Kb
	A Boy Blowing on an Ember to Light a Candle (Soplón) 1570-72 Oil on canvas, 60,5 x 50,5 cm Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte, Naples	1000*1182 True Color 128 Kb
	The Purification of the Temple 1571-76 Oil on canvas, 117 x 150 cm Institute of Arts, Minneapolis	1119*850 True Color 159 Kb
	The Purification of the Temple (detail) 1571-76 Oil on canvas Institute of Arts, Minneapolis	1030*686 True Color 82 Kb
	Pietà (The Lamentation of Christ) 1571-76 Tempera on panel, 29 x 20 cm Museum of Art, Philadelphia	800*1155 True Color 186 Kb
	Pietà c. 1575 Oil on canvas, 66 x 48 cm The Hispanic Society of America, New York	800*1103 True Color 162 Kb
	The Annunciation c. 1576 Oil on canvas, 117 x 98 cm Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid	900*1075 True Color 159 Kb
	Portrait of a Man 1570-75 Oil on canvas, 116 x 98 cm Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen	1251*1500 True Color 199 Kb