Historic City of Toledo

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NHK World Heritage 100 Series

Narration Text

This is a painting of the city of Toledo during the early 17th century, by the painter, El Greco. The Virgin Mary and angels descend from the sky. Beneath them lies the town, painted in great detail.

This is Toledo today. It thrived as the capital of Spain until the mid-16th century. The River Tajo surrounds the town on three sides - it worked as a natural fortification protecting the art and knowledge developed in the city. A travelling painter named El Greco came here in 1576. He painted outstanding works in this house.

Toledo Cathedral was the religious centre of Spanish Catholicism - it had great power and wealth. Europe, in Greco’s time, was being shaken by religious reformation. Churches wanted religious paintings to strengthen people’s faith.

Greco was commissioned by the church to paint a large painting. With his finished work came great controversy. This is the painting known as "The Spoliations". It is original and bold.Jesus’s red robe is a symbolic representation of blood and fire, an emblem of Passion. The painting portrays of Jesus’s crucifiction. The church condemned the painting as sacrilege because people were painted in a higher position than Jesus. The painter’s work, however, gained acceptance among the people of Toledo.

Greco also painted works based on local legend. This is known as "The Burial of Count Orgaz". The legend tells the tale of a powerful city figure known for his good deeds, and when he passed away two Saints descended from Heaven and buried him with care. In the background, El Greco painted real people. Among them stands the painter himself, looking straight at us.

El Greco, a genius, saw the light in Toledo. His died 38 years after he came to the city.