Nobleman with His Hand on His Chest, El Greco, 1580

Back to the Prado.  Spanish art is the visual art of Spain and that of Spanish artists worldwide. Understand the influence and importance of El Greco, Velázquez, and Goya, and Spanish art distinctive characteristics is a window into the culture. These differences can be partly explained by the Moorish heritage in Spain, especially in Andalucía, and partly on the wealth of the New World.
El Greco (1541–1614) was one of the most individualistic of the painters of the period, developing a strongly Mannerist style based on his origins in the post Byzantine Cretan school, in contrast to the naturalist approaches then predominant in Seville, Madrid and elsewhere in Spain. Many of his works reflect the silvery-greys and strong colors of Venetian painters such as Titian, but combined with strange elongations of figures, unusual lighting, disposing of perspective space, and filling the surface with very visible and expressive brushwork.
The nobleman, tentatively identified as Juan da Silva, was the notary major of Toledo. Because he is a gentleman, he wears a lace collar and cuffs, pendant, and sword.  The painter emphasized the nobleman’s illuminated hand and fingers. As a result, they have been variously interpreted as repentance, a vow, some rhetorical gesture, or simply a strong composition.