An exhibition in memory of El Greco opened at the Papal Villa in Gandolfburg.

The artist listed below, El Greco, was an innovative and original painter from Crete, who was different from his fellow artists. He was born in Candia and started painting Byzantine Icons before he moved to Venice and was influenced by the luminosities and colours of Titian and Tintoretto. He eventually moved to Rome where he began seeing great works of Raphael and Michelangelo, but was unable to fully comprehend their level of quality while he was viewing these works.

The following quote belongs to Sr. Raffaella Petrini, President of the Governorate of the Vatican City State, where she spoke during the inauguration of an exhibition entitled: “El Greco in the Mirror: Two Paintings Compared” (El Greco alla Specchio: due dipinti a confronto).

Several distinguished speakers joined us for the Opening of the Vatican Museums Exhibition on Saturday, March 14 at the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo. They included: Ms. Barbara Jatta, Director of the Museums and Cultural Heritage; Mr. Andrea Tamburelli, Director of the Pontifical Villas; Professor Leone De Castris (representing Professor Lucio d’Alessandro, Rector of the Suor Orsola Benincasa University of Naples) as Delegate for the Artistic Section at the University; Mr. Fabrizio Biferali, Curator for the Department of 15th and 16th Century Art; and Ms. Alessandra Zarelli, Restoration Laboratory for Paintings and Wooden Materials at the Vatican Museums. In addition, the Secretary General of the Governorate, Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi, was also present.

A concert entitled 'Sorrow and Prayer' featuring Giovanni Battista Pergolesi's Stabat Mater performed by the Eos Choir and Orchestra delle Cento Città under the direction of Mirco Roverelli took place following the event.

This exhibition is designed to exhibit two major works by this artist from Candia, Italy. The first work is an unpublished oil painting (45 cm height/29 cm width) entitled The Redeemer; it hangs on the southern wall of the Hall of the Ambassadors of the Audience Apartment of the Apostolic Palace. The second piece is also a work of art depicting St. Francis. It is a tempera on panel (28 cm height/20 cm width) lent for display by the A. and M.A. Pagliara Foundation through the Suor Orsola Benincasa University of Naples, Italy; it serves to demonstrate the artist’s work in Frabritzo Biferali’s collection. Mr. Fabrizio Biferali is the Head of 15th and 16th Century Art at the Vatican Museums.

In the Early, 1970's Dominico Greco has been included in the Jose Camon Aznar catalogue as the creator of The Redeemer, attributed to El Greco. The Catholic, political intellectual, Jose Sanchez de Muniain owned the work before giving it to Pope Paul VI on June 572; 1967 (tempera on panel). The work is signed in Greek capital letters DOMENIKOS THEOTOKOPOULOS EPOIEI and combines aspects of the Byzantine Tradition with examples of artistic developments present in mature Italian Renaissance Art.

I am glad to welcome Mr. Giuseppe Puglisi Alibrandi, Secretary General of the Governorate. I also welcome Dr. Barbara Jatta, Director of the Vatican Museums and her two Deputy Directors. Welcome to Dr. Andrea Tamburelli, Director of the Pontifical Villas.

The Exhibition Curators, Dr. Fabrizio Biferali and the restorer Alessandra Zarelli;

I extend my gratitude to each of you assembled here—thank you for your attendance.

The first exhibition was held in the Hall of the Museo Imperiale di Castel Gandolfo, which contained Correggio's Redemas (also referred to as the "Vatican") from the Vatican Pinacoteca. There has only been a short period (less than two years) since that time, and thus far there have already been five additional exhibitions of this nature. These events provide an opportunity for educational and experiential learning, as well as additional exposure to some of the many pieces of art from within the entire museum complex. This type of display will provide opportunities for visitors to experience and appreciate the beauty and distinctiveness of every item exhibited within the museum.

I have had enough experience now to provide a complete response as to how pleased we are with the results we have accomplished related to our goals. The Pontifical villas at Castel Gandolfo have developed into a major cultural hub for the surrounding community, and serve as a significant source of attraction for pilgrims and tourists visiting from all over the world.

The exhibition that was inaugurated today features two pieces—merely two panels of modest size—that nonetheless convey significant narratives.

The works of art attributed to the noted artist from Crete are el Greco. A genius of imagination and talent, he was born and grew up in the city of Kandia (Candia) where he did most of his early work, which consisted mainly of Byzantine-style icons. El Greco then moved to Venice, where he learned how to effectively utilize light and color through the works of two of Venice's great masters, Titian and Tintoretto. His next destination was Rome, where he studied painting from two of history's most famous painters, Michelangelo and Raphael; however, he had difficulty understanding their works of art in entirety.

The time he spent creating in Toledo was at the end of his career and coincided with a time of great religious upheaval (the Counter-Reformation). There was a trend among artists to have an individually defined sense of spirituality through their art. This took the form of using an innovative and mystical style that was contrary to the Renaissance artistic ideal of realism or to using classical antiquity or nature as a basis for artistic expression. To this end, he was devoted to emphasizing the way in which the body moved and elevating the verticality of the figures he painted. This very distinctive style quickly became recognized throughout the 19th century and would inspire much of the avant-garde work created by 20th century artists.

I want to take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to both Professor Lucio D'Alesandro (President of the Pagliara Foundation and Rector of the Suor Orsola Benincasa University in Naples) who donated one of two magnificent works on display here, Saint Francis receiving the Stigmata – signed by him and from his Roman period – and Professor Leone De Castris (Delegate of the Artistic Section of the University) for being present even though he could not attend for the opening. This is the exhibition commemorating the 800th Anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi, who has great significance to me personally and is being held during this calendar year.

Another piece of art shown was The Redeemer, which has had a lot of recent research and restoration that has produced a lot of interesting information about its unexpectedly complicated history from many different subjects that have gone into the making of it. This research also shows some interesting insights into how these artists created their works in their studios. The Redeemer date back to 1590, soon after El Greco had settled down to live in Spain.

Moreover, this piece of art was publicly shown at the Vatican City State; therefore only a limited portion of the population will be able to view it publicly, whereas, via our programme, this artwork will be able to be exhibited to the public throughout our event, commemorating Easter and The Resurrection.

I wish everyone connected to this ongoing taking of this event the very best. Also, my sincere thanks go to every participant in the various appointed departments of the Governorate, such as Those Who Support and Those Who Develop (i.e., the Directorate of Museums and Culture Heritage, The Development of Papal Villa), That Were All Working Together (i.e., collaborating and cooperating) To Make This Exhibition Happen And Express The Spirit Of Collaboration In Which We Will Continue To Build And Promote.

I extend my gratitude.

I therefore wish everyone a pleasant continuation of the event, once again thanking all the collaborators of the Governorate’s departments involved—the Directorate of Museums and Cultural Heritage and the Directorate of the Pontifical Villas—who, working in effective synergy, with that collaborative spirit and team approach that we are striving to cultivate and promote together, have made the realization of this exhibition possible.

Thank you.