Details
WORKSHOP OF FRANCESCO DEL CAIRO (MILAN 1607-1665)
The Agony in the Garden
oil on panel, unframed
2438 x 1638 in. (61.9 x 41.6 cm.)
Provenance
Acquired on 1 November 1923 by the Hispanic Society of America.
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Lot Essay

This composition is closely related to the autograph work by Francesco del Cairo, now housed in the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica, Palazzo Barberini, Rome (inv. no. 2513). Del Cairo produced a number of variations of this episode from the Life of Christ, each differing slightly in composition.

The subject depicts Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. Following the Last Supper, Christ retreated to the Mount of Olives accompanied by Peter, John and James. Upon entering the garden, Christ was overcome with a deep anguish, anticipating the suffering that awaited him. He urged his disciples to remain awake and pray with him. He prayed three times but each time returned to find his disciples asleep – as we see in the background of the painting here. Otherwise alone in his grief, Christ was then accompanied by an angel who descended to offer him strength.

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Property from the Hispanic Society Museum to Benefit the Collection Care and Acquisition Fund
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