Christ on the Mount of Olives (The Agony in the Garden), from The Little Passion Series

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

Albrecht Dürer, of the greatest artists of the Northern Renaissance, created *Christ on the Mount of Olives (Theony in the Garden)* around 1509–1511 as part his *Little Passion* series. This renowned German printmaker (1471–1528) produced 37 small woodcuts in the series, offering intimate depictions of Christ's life and suffering for a wide audience through affordable prints. Unlike his grander *Large Passion*, works were more accessible, reflecting Dürer's innovative use of printmaking to spread religious imagery during the early Reformation era. The scene captures the biblical moment in Gethsemane, where Christ kneels in prayer amid sleeping disciples, an angel offering solace above, and approaching soldiers in the distance. Dürer's masterful woodcut technique shines through precise lines, intricate details, and dramatic contrasts of light and shadow, blending Northern precision with Italian Renaissance humanism. His emotive figures and textured landscapes heighten the spiritual tension, making profound theology tangible. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum as a gift from Leo Wallerstein, this print exemplifies Dürer's enduring legacy in elevating woodcuts to fine art, influencing generations of artists and devotees alike.