The artwork titled “Portrait of Jeronimo de Cevallos” is a work by El Greco, a notable artist of the Mannerism movement during the Late Renaissance. Created in 1613, in Spain, it is an oil on canvas that measures 65 by 54 centimeters and represents the portrait genre. This painting is part of the collection housed at the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain.
The artwork exhibits a male figure, presumably Jeronimo de Cevallos, depicted against a muted, dark background that allows the subject to emerge with prominence. The gentleman is shown in a three-quarter view, a typical portraiture angle that engages the viewer with a sense of directness. His attire is of the period, with particularly fine details rendered in the white ruff collar—a style indicative of the era. The collar’s intricate folds contrast with the somber hues of his black clothing.
El Greco’s style is evident in the expressive brushwork and the play with light and shadow, creating a palpable depth that brings the subject’s features to life. The facial expression of Jeronimo de Cevallos is rendered with a restrained intensity, reflective of El Greco’s approach to capturing psychological depth in his portraits. Overall, the painting showcases the dramatic and elongated forms characteristic of Mannerism, a movement that El Greco is often associated with, and his unique artistic interpretation contributes to the lasting significance of this work.