The Laokoön, with a view of Toledo in the background, is one of the artist's most unusual pictures, his secular masterpiece. It is a work of great compositional dynamism and pictorial virtuosity. It might be viewed as a summing-up of El Greco's lengthy journey across the Mediterranean region. There is a namely legend according to which Toledo was founded by two strangers from the eastern Mediterranean, the Trojans Telemon and Brutus. This legend must certainly have held a great appeal for El Greco. The view of Toledo appears also in other works of this period, such as the View and Plan of Toledo and the Christ in Agony on the Cross.
Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 33 minutes): Johann Sebastian Bach: Magnificat in D major, BWV 243 |
Summary of paintings by El Greco |
Crete: before 1567 | Venice: 1567-70 | Rome: 1570-75 |
Spain |
1576-80 (page 1) (page 2) | 1581-85 | 1586-90 | 1591-95 | 1596-1600 |
Santo Domingo: 1577-79 | Count Orgaz: 1586-88 | Colegio: 1596-1600 |
Capilla San José: 1597-99 | Illescas: 1603-05 | Apostolado: 1610-14 |
c. 1600 | 1601-05 | 1606-10 | c. 1610 | after 1610 |
Oballe Chapel: 1608-13 | Hospital Tavera: 1608-14 | Drawings | Sculptures |
Subjects |
| Apostles | Saints | Christ | Portraits | |