Laocoön
C. 1610-1614
El Greco took the classic Greek myth of Laocoön and his sons being devoured by sea serpents and gave it a wild, Mannerist twist right before he died. Instead of the ancient city of Troy, the drama unfolds against a stormy, swirling backdrop of Toledo, Spain, where the artist lived. The elongated, ghostly pale bodies twist in agony, while two mysterious figures watch from the right—possibly gods looking on in indifference. It’s a haunting, emotional finale to a career defined by dramatic flair and spiritual intensity.
Location: National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
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