Madonna and Child with Saint Martina and Saint Agnes

The oil on canvas painting, Madonna and Child with Saint Martina and Saint Agnes by El Greco (Domenikos Theotokopoulos), was completed during the period 1597-1599. Executed during the latter half of the 16th century, this piece exemplifies the artist’s mature, highly spiritualized style developed in Toledo, Spain. The medium consists of oil applied to canvas, notably featuring a wooden strip added to the bottom edge, a modification that speaks to the evolution of the work's presentation over time. This masterpiece of late Mannerism showcases the unique interpretation of religious subjects inherent to the Greek master’s vision.

Greco depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child, flanked by two female martyrs. Saint Martina, identifiable by her attribute of the column, and Saint Agnes, accompanied by a small lamb, stand reverently beside the central figures. The saints appear elevated and ethereal, rendered with the characteristic elongation, dramatic luminosity, and sinuous lines favored by the artist. This composition, reflecting Greco’s distinctive technique, transcends conventional naturalism through its vivid, cool color palette and the dramatic, heavenward movement of the figures, reflecting the intense spirituality of the Spanish Counter-Reformation.

This culturally significant painting is housed in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., where it serves as a foundational example of the artist’s output in the years leading up to 1600. The dynamic technique and emotional depth established Greco as one of the most significant painters operating within this era (1551 to 1600). As a work of substantial historical age, the artwork is studied extensively, and high-quality prints and reproductions are readily available since the image is considered to be in the public domain.