MADRID.- El Greco's iconic painting, "The Assumption of the Virgin," has finally returned to its Spanish roots after more than a century at the Art Institute of Chicago. Thanks to a special agreement, the monumental canvas is now on display at the Prado Museum, reunited with other works El Greco created for the Santo Domingo el Antiguo monastery in Toledo.
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This homecoming is a momentous occasion, as "The Assumption" holds a special place in both Spanish art history and the artist's own legacy. Painted in 1577, shortly after El Greco arrived in Spain, it was the centerpiece of a grand altarpiece and likely his first major work completed on Spanish soil. The painting depicts the Virgin Mary ascending to heaven, surrounded by angels and watched over by the apostles below.
The painting's journey has been nearly as dramatic as its subject matter. Originally commissioned for the monastery in Toledo, it was acquired in 1830 by Infante Sebastian Gabriel, a member of the Spanish royal family. However, his collection was confiscated in 1836, and the painting ended up in the Museum of the Trinity. The Infante later recovered the artwork, taking it with him into exile in France. After his death, the painting changed hands several times, eventually landing in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1906.
"This is a remarkable reunion," said [Name], a curator at the Prado Museum. "To have 'The Assumption' back in Spain, alongside other works from the same period in El Greco's career, is truly special. It offers a unique opportunity to appreciate his artistic development and the significance of this painting within his body of work."
The exhibition, titled "El Greco. Santo Domingo el Antiguo," opened on February 18th and is already generating considerable excitement. Visitors can now admire "The Assumption" and trace its fascinating history, from its creation in Toledo to its travels across Europe and the United States, and finally, its long-awaited return home.
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