“The Visitation” is an exquisite example of Mannerism from the Late Renaissance, painted by the renowned artist El Greco circa 1610 in Spain. This religious painting, executed in oil on canvas, measures 96 by 72 centimeters and is a testament to El Greco’s dramatic and spiritual style. The artwork is currently housed in the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, located in Washington, DC, United States.
The artwork captures a moment of poignant interaction between two draped figures. Their garments are rendered with dynamic, almost sculptural folds, giving the composition a sense of movement and fluidity. The use of chiaroscuro—a technique characterized by the bold contrast of light and shadow—further emphasizes the folds and contours of the fabrics and lends the artwork a dramatic, almost theatrical quality. The faces of the figures are turned towards each other, suggesting an intimate and significant exchange between the two. The background is subdued, allowing the figures to command the viewer’s full attention. El Greco’s signature elongation of form is evident, imbuing the scene with a heightened sense of emotion and spirituality that is characteristic of his work and the Mannerist movement as a whole.
