The Feast in the House of Simon

"The Feast in the House of Simon" is an oil on canvas painting created between 1608 and 1614 by the Workshop of El Greco (Doménikos Theotokópoulos; Greek, active in Spain, 1541–1614). Produced in the final years of the master’s life, this canvas exemplifies the sophisticated religious drama characteristic of Spanish Mannerism. Though born in Greece, Greco established his distinctive artistic practice in Toledo, Spain, where his studio was highly successful in fulfilling commissions for powerful religious imagery.

The painting depicts the familiar biblical narrative where Christ is anointed by Mary Magdalene during a dinner hosted by the Pharisee Simon. The scene captures the tension and spiritual intensity of the moment, with Magdalene shown in a profound act of devotion, anointing Christ’s feet while observers react with varied degrees of skepticism and wonder. Greco's stylistic choices are immediately evident in the composition: figures are rendered with characteristic elongation and ethereal quality, set within a dynamic, architecturally ambitious space that elevates the event beyond mere narrative illustration.

The dramatic interplay of color and light in this work emphasizes the emotional weight of the divine encounter. As a product of the artist's prolific workshop, the piece reflects the standardized compositional models used to meet the high demand for Greco’s creations among Spanish church and noble patrons. This important painting currently resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. High-quality prints and reproductions of The Feast in the House of Simon frequently enter the public domain, providing global access to the signature spiritual expression defining Greco's late period.