“Agony in the Garden (Fragment)” is a religious painting by Duccio, an influential Italian artist of the Proto Renaissance. Created between 1308 and 1311, this artwork is a fragment from the larger Maestà series. Duccio utilized wood and tempera as his mediums. The painting captures a biblical scene of deep spiritual significance and is classified within the genre of religious artwork.
In the artwork, one is instantly drawn to the intense emotional expression and narrative depicted. It presents a moment from the New Testament, specifically the Agony in the Garden, where Jesus is portrayed in a state of deep sorrow and prayer before his betrayal and arrest. The figures surrounding him are presumably his disciples, who, according to the biblical account, fell asleep while Jesus prayed. The use of golden haloes signifies the holy nature of the figures, a common element in religious art from that period. The rich colors and the interplay of light and shadow reflect the approach of early Renaissance painting, aiming to create a more realistic and human portrayal of sacred themes. Duccio’s skill in conveying human emotion and the spiritual drama of the scene is evident, marking a shift from the more stylized Byzantine art that preceded the Renaissance.
