The Santa Faz, a devotional image, in the convents of Toledo

Abstract

This research aims to spread knowledge about Toledo´s abbeys Santa Faz´s different iconographies and pictorial styles. Works, occasionally, anonymous and unpublished. A comparative analysis has been developed between the diff erent versions of this devotional image, from the sixteenth century´s second term until the fourth decade of the seventeenth century. Differences between El Greco´s mannerist iconographic model and two European baroque painters - Zurbarán, Philippe de Champaigne- as well the style and the technique of Madres Benitas Abbey´s canvas are analyzed. The inquiry done, through archives and literature sources, provides new data with regards to the relationship of the art collector Andres Passano de Haro with Geneva; and supports the attribution of the Madres Benitas´s Abbey Santa Faz´s authorship to Rubbens or Van Dick.