“Saint Antony after Il Greco”
150 x 100 cm, Acrylic on PVC, 2015
“Saint Antony after Il Greco” is a contemporary reinterpretation of classical iconography, inspired by El Greco’s distinctive style, but reimagined by the artist with modern elements and a bold monochromatic palette. This acrylic on PVC work captures the emotional intensity and mysticism of Saint Anthony, while introducing a fluidity and abstraction that transcends the original.
The scene takes place in a dreamlike landscape, dominated by twisted trees and rock formations with swirling lines, recalling the celestial and dramatic atmosphere of El Greco's paintings. Saint Anthony, dressed in his monk's robe, stands in the center, his hands open in a gesture of acceptance or supplication. His face, painted with dark and expressive features, expresses both contemplation and wonder before a divine vision or a spiritual ordeal.
The choice of monochrome adds a dimension of modernity and mystery, transforming the scene into a timeless space where the sacred and the human meet. The drips of paint and the gestural brushstrokes introduce a sense of movement and transformation, as if the canvas itself were participating in the spiritual evocation of Saint Anthony. The blurred and undefined background reinforces the idea of a suspended reality, of a place between the material world and the beyond.
“Saint Antony after Il Greco” invites the viewer to a deep contemplation, to revisit the themes of faith, solitude and the search for spiritual truth. The artist succeeds in honoring El Greco’s legacy while offering a new and innovative perspective on religious art, questioning what is sacred in our modern world.
