The Portrait of an Old Man by El Greco (Domenikos Theotokopoulos), executed in oil on canvas between 1595 and 1600, exemplifies the artist's mature period during Spain’s Golden Age. This painting is a powerful study in character, showcasing Greco’s departure from traditional portrait conventions. Unlike many works of the era that emphasized status, this piece strips the subject to his essence, focusing intently on the emotional and psychological depth of the unidentified sitter.
Greco uses his signature elongated style and expressive brushwork to delineate the man’s face, which is etched with lines of age and experience. The contrast between the illuminated forehead and the shadowed eyes creates a dramatic sense of immediacy and introspection, characteristic of the Mannerist approach. While the subject remains unknown, this portrait is regarded as a profound exploration of human frailty and wisdom. The work serves as a key reference point for understanding Iberian portrait traditions. It resides today in the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of the age of the original artwork, this renowned piece by Greco is frequently available in the public domain, allowing for the widespread dissemination of high-quality prints.
Important: ArtBee makes no warranties about the copyright status of this artwork. To the best of our knowledge, based on information from the source museum, we believe this work is in the public domain.
You are responsible for determining the rights status and securing any permissions needed for your use. Copyright status may vary by jurisdiction. See our License & Usage page and Terms of Service for details.