View of Toledo by El Greco, date unknown, oil on canvas

The Decorative and Fine Arts Society in Malta will present a lecture on the later years and works of El Greco in his adopted city of Toledo.

The years from 1597 to 1607 were a period of intense activity for the master. El Greco rejected classicist criteria, such as measure and proportion, shown in his exceptionally tall and slender figures and elongated compositions. His paintings sometimes show surprising influences.

Siân Walters will deliver the lecture during which she will also discuss to what extent these works can be seen as reflections of the cultural, religious and socio-economic climate of the city in the early 17th century.

Walters is an art historian and lecturer at the National Gallery, Surrey University and many other art societies in the UK and Europe. Her areas of specialisation are 15th and 16th century Italian art, Spanish art and architecture, and the relationship between dance and art.

■ The lecture is being held on Thursday at Le Méridien St Julian’s Hotel and Spa in Balluta at 6.30pm. Entrance is free to members and open to guests against a €12 fee.