On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P00436
- Author
- Titian [Vecellio di Gregorio Tiziano] (Italian)
- Title
- Agony in the Garden
- Chronology
- 1562
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 176 cm x 136 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- No
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
According to the New Testament,
moments before Christ was seized by
Roman soldiers and his Passion
began, he withdrew to an orchard on
the Mount of Olives to pray
alongside his Apostles (Matthew 26,
36-46; Mark 14, 32-42; Luke 22,
40-46; John 18, 1).
In this composition, Titian has
replaced the Apostles that
traditionally appear in the
foreground with images of the
soldiers who have arrived to seize
Christ. Their appearance is
grotesque, and they are dressed in
the style of the painter's
time.
This type of painting, in which the
scene appears almost in darkness
with just a few, strong light
sources, is called “nocturne.” They
were much appreciated by the public
at that time, and were also an
interesting area of experimentation
for artists who sought to
demonstrate their skill by
introducing various light sources
into the scene. Here the light
comes from the sky and from an oil
lamp.
This work entered the Prado Museum
collection in 1837.
