Artwork
The Agony in the Garden
The Agony in the Garden is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Luis de Morales. It dates from 1545 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The presence of a chalice and a Latin cross functions as symbolic references to the Passion, reinforcing the narrative of sacrifice and redemption.
The painting portrays Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane at the moment of his arrest, emphasizing his anguish and the foreknowledge of suffering. The presence of a chalice and a Latin cross functions as symbolic references to the Passion, reinforcing the narrative of sacrifice and redemption. The work belongs to the religious genre, reflecting Counter‑Reformation concerns with visualizing Christ’s physical and spiritual torment.
Technique & Style
The work is executed in oil paint on a wooden panel, measuring 85 cm in height by 65.5 cm in width. The composition depicts the Agony in the Garden, showing a chalice and a cross as main symbols. It belongs to the religious art genre and was created in 1545 by Luis de Morales. The painting is part of the collection at the Museo del Prado.
History & Provenance
The work titled The Agony in the Garden was painted by Luis de Morales in 1545 using oil on panel. It measures 85 cm by 65.5 cm and depicts the biblical scene of the Agony in the Garden with symbolic elements including a chalice and a cross. The painting belongs to the religious art genre and was created as an independent work rather than part of a larger commission.
It has been housed in the Museo del Prado since its creation, forming part of the museum's permanent collection without documented changes in ownership.
Overview
Luis de Morales, a 16th‑century Spanish painter often called “El Divino,” executed The Agony in the Garden in 1545 with oil on canvas. The work belongs to the Mannerist phase of the Spanish Renaissance and is part of the Museo del Prado’s permanent collection in Madrid.
Context
Active during the Spanish Renaissance, Morales drew inspiration from Italian masters such as Raphael and the Lombard followers of Leonardo da Vinci. His oeuvre is noted for intense devotional subjects, and The Agony in the Garden exemplifies his synthesis of Italian compositional models with a distinctly Spanish spiritual fervor.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Luis de Morales (1509 – 9 May 1586) was a Spanish painter active during the Spanish Renaissance in the 16th century.
