Christ's Agony in the Garden

1821

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Romanticism Early 19th Century Religious

Dominant colour

Christ's Agony in the Garden is a 1821 by Benjamin Haydon, a Romanticism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Benjamin Haydon
When & what style?: 1821 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This painting shows a somber scene with Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. He's kneeling, looking up, with his hands clasped together in prayer. The background is dark and moody, with trees and rocks that add to the sense of isolation and contemplation. In the foreground, Christ's facial expression is one of deep sadness and concern. His eyes are cast downward, and his brow is furrowed in worry. The overall mood of the painting is one of quiet reflection and introspection. If you're interested in exploring more works like this, you might want to check out the Romanticism movement.

The story of this work

Overview

This sketch by Benjamin Robert Haydon depicts Christ kneeling in prayer, surrounded by other figures. On its reverse, additional studies include a nude male figure ascending steps and a man on horseback. The drawing served as a study for an oil painting now held in the Department of Paintings, accession number FA.252.

Read the full account in the museum source.

About the artist

Artist

Benjamin Haydon

Benjamin Robert Haydon (; 26 January 1786 – 22 June 1846) was a British painter who specialised in grand historical pictures, although he also painted a few contemporary subjects and portraits.

See the richer artist page