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El Greco, 'The Adoration of the Name of Jesus', late 1570s

About the work

This picture may have been made as a record of a larger work by El Greco in the Escorial, which he probably painted for Philip II, King of Spain. The letters ‘IHS’ – which stand for IHSOUS, the Greek spelling of ‘Jesus’ – are its main focus.

The figures in the left-hand corner are the members of the so-called Holy League, which was established, in the words of Phillip II, ‘to defend the holy name’ of Christ. They include the Doge (elected head) of Venice, Pope Pius V and Philip himself. The painting celebrates their victory against the Islamic Ottoman Empire in a naval battle at Lepanto, in south-western Greece, in 1571.

El Greco turned the scene into an epic vision of humanity’s judgement and the promise of salvation. To the right the mouth of hell swallows its victims, while other souls are led over a bridge to purgatory, where they will await entry to heaven.

Key facts

Full title
The Adoration of the Name of Jesus
Artist
El Greco
Artist dates
1541 - 1614
Date made
late 1570s
Medium and support
oil on wood
Dimensions
55.1 × 33.8 cm
Inscription summary
Signed
Acquisition credit
Bought, 1955
Inventory number
NG6260
Location
Not on display
Collection
Main Collection
Subjects

About this record

If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.

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