Andalusian School; XVII century.

Andalusian School; XVII century.
"Prayer in the garden".
Oil on canvas.
Presents faults and restorations.
Measurements: 57 x 77 cm; 68 x 86 cm (frame).
Oil on canvas in which Jesus is represented in the Garden of Olives at the moment when the angel comforts him, while his disciples Peter, John and James sleep beside him (Matthew: ch. 26 v. 37; Mark: ch. 14 v. 33). The Gospels narrate that, distressed by a strange sadness, Jesus went to pray on the Mount of Olives, where the apostles followed him. Once there, Jesus withdraws to one side to pray, the moment of the crucifixion becoming present to him. Thus, this episode begins the bloody Passion in the soul of Christ. The apostles fall into a deep sleep, and an angel appears to Jesus to comfort him. In fact, this episode alludes to the greatest temptation of Jesus' life, the last of all: knowing his destiny, he can either flee from his enemies or continue to fulfill his divine mission, risking his life (Luke: 22, 39- 46 ). Which narrates how Jesus, on his knees, prayed, saying: "Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; but not my will, but yours be done". Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and comforted him. And in agony, he persisted in his prayer. His sweat became like thick drops of blood falling to the ground. And rising from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them asleep with sorrow; and he said to them, "How is it that you are asleep? Rise and pray that you may not fall into temptation."
The work which is developed in depth thus forming a scene of narrative character, showing several moments of the last moments of Jesus' freedom. In the foreground, several of the sleeping apostles, as the biblical story points out, in the background, but in a preponderant position as they are elevated and in the central area of the scene, the figure of Christ can be observed, who on his knees directs his gaze towards the angel located in a break of glory.