The Agony in the Garden

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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Christ prays before a group of cherubs who hold up the instruments of his torture and death. His disciple Judas, who has betrayed him, leads a large band of soldiers down from Jerusalem to arrest him. Meanwhile his other disciples sleep. This painting reflects many of the artistic issues that would preoccupy Mantegna throughout his career. He was fascinated by the art of classical antiquity: the disciples here look like statues of Roman emperors in togas. One lies with his legs facing straight out at the viewer, a difficult pose to paint; Mantegna enjoyed experimenting with it for its ability to draw us into the picture. He skilfully uses the landscape setting to tell the story in a single image, the march of the soldiers from the city gates creating drama and suggesting the passage of time.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

The Agony in the Garden

Date

about 1458-60

Medium

Tempera on wood

Measurements

H 62.9 x W 80 cm

Accession number

NG1417

Acquisition method

Bought, 1894

Work type

Painting

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The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

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