El Greco (1608-14). The Baptism of Christ [oil on panel]. Hospital de Tavera, Toledo, Spain/The Bridgeman At Library.

The unified whole of this composition undulates like the ocean viewed from above. Limbs, clothing folds and a rippling arrangement of circular figures repeat the same organic ovoid shape throughout, resulting in an organic binding effect. |

Christ's elongated figure is preparing for baptism, surrounded by an increasingly spiritual realm as the eye moves up the canvas. Formal choices place this event in a warm, peaceful tone. Color and value changes create edges. A rich blend of these two attributes create an undulating, almost weightless feeling. A rough double-complement color strategy is used, with plenty of desaturated values employed.

Value contrast is used to dramatic effect, creating figure-by-figure depth. Shapes do not overlap as much as they twist into and wrap around each other. On a more subtle level, bright colors gravitate lower on the canvas, appearing closer than those that are more muted toward the top of the canvas. Diminution is infused with this color strategy to further reinforce the spatial order El Greco has created.

While the canvas is dense with lines of motion and weight-bearing elements, pictorially this work is quite stable. In fact, gravity seems to have little influence on this work’s static sense of balance. Figurative shapes are used throughout, contrasted by nothing in this regard. Shapes vary between well-defined and amorphous. Positive space is activated much more than negative, but the way the gaps are rendered strongly reinforces the fluid character of this work. A general shape size contrast is created with large, elongated forms and smaller elliptical ones.

Christ's dramatic pose is bracketed by stark, pure colors, while his form is largely colorless. The orientation and dimensions of this work overlap the upward motion of the figures directional thrust and the lines of their attention. This brings the viewer up to the top-center figure of God, who is himself bracketed by figures that create a shimmering golden realm for him to rest in.

The strongest visual strategy of this master work is the pattern El Greco creates with elongated, graceful forms directing attention upward. His choice in framing dimensions and orientation deserve special mention as well.