“Christ on the cross with two Maries and St. John” is an oil painting on canvas by El Greco, dated 1588 and originating from Spain. This work is a manifestation of the Mannerism movement that characterizes the Late Renaissance period. The artwork measures 120 by 80 centimeters and belongs to the genre of religious painting. It is currently housed in the National Art Gallery (Alexandros Soutzos Museum) in Athens, Greece.
The artwork adeptly captures a poignant moment of religious significance with a heightened emotional tone, a hallmark of El Greco’s expressive style. It depicts the crucified Christ flanked by lamenting figures, presumably representing the Virgin Mary and another Mary, as well as Saint John the Evangelist. El Greco’s use of elongated forms and dramatic contrasts of light and dark intensifies the tragedy and sanctity of the scene. The figures are draped in garments that convey a sense of movement and profound sorrow, with the vibrant colors providing a stark contrast to the somber mood of the crucifixion. El Greco’s treatment of the subject evinces his unique ability to fuse the spiritual with the physical world, evoking a sense of otherworldliness alongside human emotion.
