Saint Ildefonso

1597–1607

A decade of intense activity

The decade from 1597 to 1607 was a period of intense activity for El Greco: his workshop made pictorial and sculptural ensembles for religious institutions — three altars for the Chapel of San José in Toledo (1597–99), three paintings for the Colegio de Doña María de Aragón in Madrid (1596–1600), and the high altar, four lateral altars and St Ildefonso for the Hospital of Charity at Illescas (1603–05).

13 December 1604

Death of his brother Manoússos

El Greco's elder brother Manoússos, a wealthy merchant, spent the last years of his life (1603–04) in the painter's Toledo home and died on 13 December 1604.

1607–1608

The lawsuit with the hospital at Illescas

In 1607–08 El Greco was involved in a protracted legal dispute with the Hospital of Charity at Illescas over payment for his work, which included painting, sculpture and architecture. This and other disputes contributed to the economic difficulties of his last years.

1608

His last major commission: the Hospital of Saint John the Baptist

In 1608 El Greco received his last major commission, for the Hospital of Saint John the Baptist in Toledo.

1611

A visit from Francisco Pacheco

The painter and theorist Francisco Pacheco, who visited El Greco in 1611, condemned his idea of the primacy of colour over form and his broad-brush manner, yet called the master “a writer of painting, sculpture and architecture”.

7. April 1614

Died