The qualitative change from naturalistic to transcendental space in selected paintings by El Greco

Abstract

The first group of El Greco's paintings discussed in this article are all naturalistic representations of the Annunciation theme and are chosen from his Italian period. The examples of his later paintings are chosen from the Spanish period and include various themes. These paintings are discussed with reference to encounters between human and angelic figures in transcendental space. The aim of this research is to emphasize [the] radical shift in El Greco's representation of space and the transposition of the viewer from a static mode of seeing to a more subjective, visionary awareness.

Die eerste groep skilderye deur El Greco wat in hierdie artikel bespreek word, is almal naturalistiese voorstellings van die Aankondigingstema wat uit sy Italiaanse tydperk gekies is. Die voorbeelde van sy latere werke is uit sy Spaanse tydperk gekies en sluit verskeie temas in. Hierdie skilderye word met verwysing na ontmoetings tussen mens- en engelefigure in transendentale ruimte bespreek. Die doel met die navorsing is om die radikale verskuiwing in El Greco se voorstelling van ruimte te benadruk, asook die verplasing van die aanskouer van 'n statiese wyse van kyk na 'n [meer] subjektiewe, visionere bewuswording.