The painting was commissioned by Andrés Núñez, the parish priest of Santo Tomé, for the side-chapel of the Virgin of the church of Santo Tomé.* M. Lambraki-Plaka, "El Greco-The Greek", 54* M. Tazartes, "El Greco", 122</ref> Núñez, who had initiated a project to refurbish the Count's burial chapel, is portrayed in the painting reading (on the right of the lower part of the composition).* Web Gallery of Art, The Burial of the Count of Orgaz</ref> The painting's commission was the last step in the priest's plan to glorify the parish.