Lot number 3422 - Auction 146
DIE MARIENKRÖNUNG

WORKSHOP OF EL GRECO AROUND 1600 ('Actually Domínikos Theotokópoulos') Around 1541 Candia on Crete - April 7, 1614 Todedo THE CORONATION OF THE VIRGIN Oil on canvas. 100.5 x 95 cm. Min. old rest., part. slight old retouching, slightly soiled surface. The theme of the Coronation of the Virgin was taken up several times by El Greco and realised in many large altarpiece compositions. Greco kept small studies of the theme in his own hand, or created by the workshop with his help, of almost all of his large compositions in the studio. They served the studio staff as samples for repeat commissions and were intended to make it easier for clients to make their choice. They were made as preparatory works before the large, personal compositions left the studio (cf. Halldor Söhner: Greco in Spanien, in: Münchner Jahrbuch der bildenden Kunst, Dritte Folge Vol. IX/X 1958/59, p. 147). Literature: M. Legendre and A. Hartmann: Domenico Theotocopuli genannt El Greco. Paris page 242 full-page illustration, page 499, Carrearas Collection. Aznar, José Camón: Domenico, Madrid, 1950, page 1371, number 259 (La Coronación de la Virgen / 'Coronation of the Virgin. Collection Carreas Barcelona. Circa 1600 ?, inventory II, 17 ...). Also listed in the El Greco estate inventory number II. Ipser, Karl: El Greco der Maler des christlichen Weltbildes, page 362, there: Collection Carreras: Krönung der Jungfrau, c. 1600. El Greco in Spain, Munich Yearbook 1958, page 236 number 356, Carreras Collection. Provenance: Rhenish private collection.