The Count of Los Arcos as Collector and Patron of El Greco

Abstract

Pedro Laso de la Vega, Count of Los Arcos (1567-1637) was a prominent courtier during the reigns of Philip III and Philip IV. A noted patron of the arts, Arcos amassed a collection of approximately 500 paintings, including eight by El Greco. This article offers a brief biography of the patron together with a detailed analysis of his art collection. Arcos' relationship with El Greco merits particular attention, as do the reasons why Arcos, towards the end of his life, saw fit to sell most of the El Greco paintings in his collection.