The artwork titled “Agony in the Garden” was created by the artist Duccio di Buoninsegna between 1308 and 1311. This religious painting is part of the “Maesta” series and is executed on wood using tempera. Duccio’s work represents the Proto Renaissance art movement, which marks the transition from Medieval to Renaissance art in Italy.
The painting depicts a scene from the Christian narrative of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane before his arrest, as told in the New Testament. On the left, the disciples are seen asleep, huddled together under a group of trees, oblivious to Jesus’ turmoil. In contrast, Jesus is depicted to their right, separated from the disciples, shown in a moment of deep prayer and distress. He kneels before an angel who presents him with a cup, symbolizing the acceptance of his coming suffering. The figures are rendered with a sense of dimensionality and individuality, a characteristic of the progressive art of the era. The use of gold halos signifies the holiness of the figures, and the detailed trees and rocky landscape contribute to the setting, framing the emotional intensity of the event. The panel is imbued with a narrative quality, guiding the viewer through the scene with careful composition and use of color.
