Christ as Saviour
by GRECO, El, Oil on canvas, 99 x 79 cm
The Christ as Saviour in this series of Apostles is one of El Greco’s most impressive treatments of the subject, taller in format than the earlier version in Edinburgh. Christ is shown here both as Saviour of the World (Salvator Mundi) and the Light of the World. Radiant with divine light, he rests his hand on a globe enveloped in the folds of his cloak. His symmetrical frontal pose and physiognomy recall Byzantine images of Christ as Pantocrator (Ruler of All).