Christ on the mount of Olives by El Greco

Christ on the mount of Olives by El Greco/Domenikos Theotokopoulos
1610-1614

(Magyar Nemzeti Galeria) Hungarian National Gallery

This is one of El Greco’s most well-known works, it is displayed in Magyar Nemzeti Galeria in Budapest, he painted several versions of this specific religious theme from 1580 until his death, here you see a vertical composition.

According to the Gospels, after the Last Supper and before Juda’s kiss, his arrest and crucifixion, Jesus went to the garden of Gethsemane and on the Mount of Olives to pray, with him were also Peter, John and James.

Jesus then distanced himself from his three disciples, after asking them to pray with him, to go and pray in private. He prayed full of agony and distress three times for three hours (his human nature is emphasized here). During these hours he said the famous word: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass me by. Nevertheless, let it be as you, not I, would have it” (quote taken from the source).

Then you can see Jesus on his knee approached from an angel giving him a cup and also giving him strength. After that, he returns back, only to see his disciples asleep, as seen in the paining. You can see a horizontal tree truck in the painting between the disciples and Jesus that suggests the two different poles, the life in earth and eternal life. You can also see, in the right of the painting and close to Jesus, Judas approaching with the soldiers from the distance, soon the Passion of Jesus and his crucifixion will follow.

El Greco or Δομίνικος Θεοτοκόπουλος/Domenikos Theotokopoulos was born in Crete and later settled in Toledo, Spain.

See source here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agony_in_the_Garden

The picture was taken by me in the Hungarian National Gallery in Budapest during my visit there.