The Nobleman with his Hand on his Chest
El caballero de la mano en el pecho
A gentleman of Toledo in black with a white ruff, his hand laid on his heart as if swearing an oath.
Painted soon after El Greco came to Toledo from Italy, it is the Spanish gentleman as he wished to be seen: sober, proud, his sword hilt showing, his long fingers spread on his chest.
Who he was is not known. A cleaning in 1996 took off old dark varnish and repaint and showed a grey background and a lighter face, to some people's dismay. Stand before it in 3D ›
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