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The Agony in the Garden

Santi di Tito

1591

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Renaissance Renaissance

Dominant colour

The Agony in the Garden is a 1591 by Santi di Tito, a Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Santi di Tito
When & what style?: 1591 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a man kneeling alone in a garden, his hands pressed together. Behind him, a group of sleeping figures rests on the ground. Above, three winged shapes hover near the top edge, as if watching. The scene is drawn in soft browns and blues, with quick, light strokes that leave some areas faint. Notice how the artist used shading to make the figures stand out against the background. The light seems to come from above, lighting the man’s face and hands while leaving the rest dimmer. Look up chiaroscuro to see how this lighting trick works in other paintings.