Giovanni Bellini – The Agony in the Garden Part 3 National Gallery UK

Description of Giovanni Bellini’s painting The Prayer of the Cup

Before us is an early painting by the artist. In the center we see Christ kneeling. If we look below, we can see the disciples. There are three of them. They are Peter, John, and James. They have fallen asleep unexpectedly to themselves. It’s getting light. The long night will soon be over. The day that begins will bring the agony that Jesus was destined to suffer.

The painter depicts an angel against a background of low clouds. He is holding a cup. It is a symbol of suffering. The vessel is to atone for all the sins of men. Christ must drink it all.

If you look closely you can see in the distance a whole troop of Roman soldiers coming to arrest Christ. Ahead of the troop is none other than Judas himself.

The artist depicts all the details of the landscape that are mentioned in the Bible. At the same time, it is nature that gives the whole scene a special tone. The sun is rising and the sky is colored with pink highlights. The dawn is truly bloody. The whole scene is flooded with a whimsical light that casts gold. This is evidence that the night has passed. Very soon a new time will come which will bring salvation to all.

The painter uses the picture of nature to enhance the realism of the canvas. If you follow the paths with your gaze, you can see the city that is spread out on the hill. The painter emphasizes the utmost universality and significance of all that is happening.

All details of the landscape are scrupulously considered. The scene is illuminated in a certain way. Thanks to this a certain mood is created. The dawn floods all around with its light. The tones in the background are cold, while in the foreground they change to warm.

Bellini’s depiction is incredibly plastic. His hills and rock formations are incredibly three-dimensional. The artist manages to create a soft landscape, whose forms seem to melt away. This is the work of a true master.