Agony in the Garden, from The Engraved Passion

Agony in the Garden, from The Engraved Passion by Albrecht Dürer German, 1471-1528, is a significant print created in 1508. Executed as an engraving in black on ivory laid paper, this work demonstrates Dürer’s unparalleled technical mastery of the burin. The precision inherent to the engraving medium, as opposed to the coarser nature of a woodcut, allowed Dürer to achieve subtle gradations of tone and dramatic texture, defining the pinnacle of Northern Renaissance printmaking in Germany.

The subject depicts Christ praying in the Garden of Gethsemane just before his arrest, a moment of intense spiritual crisis often titled Agony in the Garden. While Christ addresses the angel offering the cup of suffering, the apostles Peter, James, and John sleep unaware in the lower foreground, their heavy slumber contrasting sharply with the anguish of the divine figure. This piece is one of the smaller, highly detailed compositions included in The Engraved Passion, a crucial series of sixteen prints completed by Dürer between 1507 and 1513.

The work solidified the German artist Dürer's reputation for elevating prints to the status of high art, making complex religious narratives widely accessible across Europe. The delicate detail and emotional force captured by the 1508 engraving ensure its place among the most celebrated examples of German Renaissance prints. Today, this masterwork resides within the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Due to its age and cultural importance, images of this piece are often available through public domain resources, ensuring its continued study across the globe.