Spain Day 19b - Museum of El Greco

The Museum of El Greco was created by a fan of his works, Don Benigno de la Vega-Incian y Flaquer. He bought the property and buildings the museum sits upon in 1905 convinced that it once belonged to El Greco, even though there was no evidence of it. He then set about modifying the property to look like it would in El Greco's time in the 16th century and procuring his painting to show here. Then the museum was granted to the state followed by the house, after Don Benigno's death. It has been open since 1911. He succeeded as it is a lovely property and he acquired nice painting. 

This is the apostles room where El Greco's complete series on Jesus and the apostles are located. It was interesting to see them side by side.

Here is Saint Thaddeus or Jude. He carries a weapon not to use it but as a reminder that was how he was martyred, according to accounts.

The painting, in the same room at the end of the hall, is "View and Plan of Toledo". 

This not only shows the important buildings in Toledo but also an overhead city map with detail I have never seen in a painting.

This chapel was purpose built to hold the ceiling and altar.

The museum has more works by El Greco and also other artists of the same time period. This is a wooden stature made by either Alonso de Mena and Pablo Rojas and depicts Saint Agnes. It has been recently restored.

The outside is a lovely as the inside.

It was a pleasure to visit here.