Laocoön

painting by El Greco

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Last updated

June 30, 2026

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The painting "Laocoön" by El Greco depicts a scene from Greek legend. Laocoön was a Trojan priest who warned his people against accepting the wooden horse left by the Greeks during the Trojan War. For this, he and his twin sons were punished by the gods and killed by sea serpents.12

El Greco, a Spanish painter of Greek descent, created his version of the "Laocoön" around 1610-1614. In his painting, he substituted the ancient city of Troy with a view of Toledo, Spain. El Greco's style is known for its dramatic and expressive qualities, often featuring elongated figures and intense colors, which he applied to this mythological subject.3

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El Greco
Later life and works of El Greco
artists, is the Laocoön (c. 1610/14). For ancient Troy he substituted a view of Toledo, similar to the one just discussed, and he displayed little regard for classical tradition in painting the highly expressive but great, sprawling body of the priest.
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artists, is the Laocoön (c. 1610/14). For ancient Troy he substituted a view of Toledo, similar to the one just discussed, and he displayed little regard for classical tradition in painting the highly expressive but great, sprawling body of the priest.
Read More