El Greco articulates the apostles’ inner being, rather than their external attributes. With their unnaturally thin and elongated bodies, there is a dramatic intensity to expressions and gestures. Paul, dressed in red, rests his hand on a book, alluding to his contribution to the Bible, the Pauline epistles. This image has been seen as symbolising the conflict between supporters of the Reformation (Paul) and the Catholic Counter-Reformation (Peter).