FAMILY GET CHRISTMAS WINDFALL

For the Spanish family who discovered the painting, it was better than winning the special Christmas lottery "El Gordo". The "Baptism of Christ" by El Greco came to light when a man living in a small apartment in western Spain answered a Christie's advertisement offering art valuations in October. A spokesman said he obviously didn't realise what he had: "It had been in his family since the mid-19th century and had simply been ignored." The fact that it was tucked away in a large envelope at the back of a cupboard may have explained why. The painting dates back to El Greco's time in Venice, from 1567-70, and is an extremely rare example of his work from that period. El Greco's unique style, characterised by elongated forms and bright colours, inspired modern painters such as Cezanne, Picasso and Jackson Pollock. The 23.7cm by 18cm painting was initially valued at nearly 780,000 euros but when it went to auction at Christie's in London last week, it sold for just over 1,142,000 euros. It was bought by the Municipality of Crete, the birthplace of Domenikos Theotokopoulous, better known as El Greco after he came to live in Toledo. Christie's said: "It was a fantastic event to witness the picture being sold to the Municipality of Crete, and we are particularly happy to know that the picture is going to such a fitting home." Mayor Yannis Kourakis said: "It is such an important and beautiful piece, especially to the people of Crete, and we are happy that the picture will now be displayed in the artist's birthplace."