Agony in the Garden (겟세마네에서 기도하시다)

 

 

 

(마 26:39)

조금 나아가사 얼굴을 땅에 대시고 엎드려 기도하여 이르시되 내 아버지여 만일 할 만하시거든 이 잔을 내게서 지나가게 하옵소서 그러나 나의 원대로 마시옵고 아버지의 원대로 하옵소서 하시고

 

 

 

 

 

 

Giovanni Bellini ca. 1430 – 1516

Agony in the Garden

tempera on panel (81 × 127 cm) — c. 1465

  National Gallery, London

Giovanni Bellini biography

 

This work is linked to Matthew 26:39

 

Peter, John and James lie sleeping in the Garden of Gethsemane as Jesus climbs the Mount of Olives and prays to his father. He senses his destiny and is very concerned about his near future. He asks to "let this cup pass from me". His wish is not honored, but an angel gives him strength.

Jesus had asked his followers to stay awake, but each time his returns from the mountain he finds them sleeping. That strengthens his loneliness.

In the background Judas and a group of Roman soldiers are approaching.

This painting by Giovanni Bellini is often compared to a painting his brother-in-law Andrea Mantegna made a few years earlier on the same subject (here). It is obvious that Bellini painted in a more tranquil style, whereas Mantegna emphasized Jesus' emotions by setting the scene in a very harsh landscape. Bellini for instance shows a nice break of dawn, thus offering hope and salvation instead of predicting disaster.

 

 

 

 

Andrea Mantegna 1431 – 1506

Agony in the Garden (San Zeno)

tempera on panel (71 × 94 cm) — 1457-1459

  Musée des beaux-arts, Tours

Andrea Mantegna biography

 

This work is linked to Matthew 26:39

 

Left panel of the predella of the San Zeno altarpiece. During the reign of Napoleon over Italy all panels of the altarpiece were taken to France; the predella panels were never returned to Verona. This is the original panel. In Verona a replica is on display.

The painting shows an agonized Jesus. He seems truly afraid of what he feels will happen to him. In the background soldiers led by Judas are already approaching.

The disciples Peter, John and James are sleeping. In this moment of fear Jesus is thus left to himself by the people he asked to remain awake.

Earlier, around 1455, Andrea Mantegna made a different painting about this episode (here). In that work the landscape is much more barren than here.

Some writers say the depiction of Jerusalem matches the description the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus made.

 

 

 

 

 

Andrea Mantegna 1431 – 1506

The Agony in the Garden

tempera on panel (63 × 80 cm) — c. 1455

  National Gallery, London

Andrea Mantegna biography

 

This work is linked to Matthew 26:39

 

Andrea Mantegna had a preference for barren, rocky landscapes. In this painting he uses the landscape to emphasize Jesus' emotions of loneliness and fear.

Three disciples are asleep while the agonized Jesus prays to his father. He feels his end is approaching. Mantegna even shows this approaching: in the background Judas and a group of soldiers come to arrest Jesus. To the right the sky is becoming lighter: a new day has come.

This painting is often compared to a painting on the same subject by Mantegna's brother-in-law Giovanni Bellini.