St Francis and Brother Leo Meditating on Death

This engraving was made after a painting by El Greco (now in the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa).

Prints played a key role in religious propaganda. In the Hispanic world, it was Dutch artists who performed this task. As a result, Spain lacked skilled engravers who might have reproduced El Greco’s work for a larger audience.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 33 minutes):

Michael Haydn: St Francis Mass