The work belongs to the last series of paintings for an "Apostolado" and carries with it, like most of Greco's last works, the three experiences which marked his life: his upbringing as a youngster in the native Candia, still influenced by byzantine art (note the extension of the figure and the typical posture of the Pantocrator - even if it has lost the symbolic canonical references-); his stay in Venice at Tiziano's school and the discovery of Tintoretto (the painting is influenced by the portrait arrangement of the two famous venetians) his long stay in Toledo, where he worked and carried out the major part of this work.
The light framing the head of the Redemptor puts the face of Christ in the centre of attraction. From it the light coming from above separates the whole figure from the dark background.

"The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you" (Numbers 6,24-25)