Reflexiones sobre una colección de pinturas de El Greco y la Gloria de Felipe II

Abstract

The collection of paintings by El Greco owned by Agustín de Hierro, a member of the Royal Council of Castille during the reign of Philip IV, amounting to a total of 48 paintings of various sizes, is worth noting because, despite the surprising figure, this collection of canvases has remained unstudied until now, although it has not failed to be cited in passing. These pages will reflect upon the entirety and its origin -related to Jorge Manuel Theotocópuli's inventory from 1621- and upon some specifics of this collection, and will attempt to provide answers to the problems missed mainly by a few of the inventory entries: a self-portrait, miniature portraits and a "Philip II in glory" and "Arrest of Christ" identified with the panels now in the National Gallery of Art in London and Upton House.