Some scholars have suggested that Philip did not like the inclusion of living persons in a religious scene; some others that El Greco's works violated a basic rule of the Counter-Reformation, namely that in the image the content was paramount rather than the style.
Mõned uurijad arvavad, et Philipile ei meeldinud kaasaegsete inimeste paigutamine religioossetesse stseenidesse; teised arvavad, et El Greco tööd rikkusid vastureformatsiooni põhireeglit, mis ütleb, et maalil on sisu stiilist olulisem.