Domenikos Theotolopoulos, El Greco (1541-1614), was a Spanish painter of Greek descent. He signed his works as The Greek to maintain this heritage. El Greco made art that startled viewers of his day as he moved from the flat and static style of the icon to dynamic compositions with depth and expression. His works, including this piece, the altarpiece of the Sacristy of the Cathedral in Toledo, mainly puzzled said viewers. Appreciation came later in the 20th century.

El Greco is known for elongated figures as shown here most clearly in the hands of subjects and in even the format being longer than wide.

This crowded scene seems to convey the chaos of the moment as Jesus is prepared for execution. Here depth is held in size and color. The neutral and menacing colors of the background with its sea of faces is in deep contrast to the fuller depictions and bright colors of the foreground figures, including Jesus. His bright robe and heavenward gaze seem to separate him from the reality around him. He seems in the world but not of it – maybe already seeing himself in the kingdom to come.

This piece could be at the center of a Lectio Visio practice for Holy Week. These are the steps. After spending some time surveying the piece and finding your visual focus, you could listen for words that come as you imagine the scene and put yourself within it. You could think of how it sounded, how it felt. The final step of this spiritual practice would be to form a prayer around what came to you in this time of silent looking and listening. You could make a prayer for these times or our own. You could write a prayer of hope in resignation; faith in trial; love and forgiveness in all things. I hope you will. May it be so and amen.

In gratitude, faith and hope,