El Greco is known primarily for his religious subjects, which make up the majority of his output. This large portrait was painted during the artist’s last years in Italy, in the 1570s, when he had the opportunity to study Titian’s work in Venice. He subsequently moved to Rome, seeking patronage from the family of Pope Paul III, the Farnese.
The commanding figure is Vincenzo Anastagi. Born in Perugia around 1531, Anastagi became a Knight of Malta in 1563 and distinguished himself as a hero during the defense of the island at the Turkish siege of Valletta in 1565. An expert in fortifications, he was appointed Sergeant Major of the papal fortress in Rome, Castel Sant’Angelo, and is here portrayed in that role. This full-length portrait is a grand and ambitious statement on the part of Anastagi—a relatively low-ranking aristocrat—and of El Greco—at that point a young and emerging painter.
Vincenzo Anastagi
Born in Perugia, Vincenzo Anastagi (ca. 1531–86) joined the Knights of Malta in 1563 and was a leader in the heroic defense of that island during the massive Turkish siege of 1565. After holding various other responsible posts he was named Sergeant Major of Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome. Anastagi apparently was an expert on fortifications. This portrait, already characteristically intense and spirited in style, probably dates from El Greco’s last years in Italy.
Source: Art in The Frick Collection: Paintings, Sculpture, Decorative Arts, New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1996.
William Coningham. His sale, June 9, 1849, Christie’s, Lot 51, sold to H. Farrer. Henry Labouchere, Stoke, near Windsor (1850). Inherited by Labouchere’s grandson, E.A.V. Stanley, Quantock Lodge, Bridgewater, Somerset. Bought from him by Colnaghi and Knoedler, November, 1913. Frick, 1913.
Source: Paintings in The Frick Collection: French, Italian and Spanish. Volume II. New York: The Frick Collection, 1968.
