The Agony in the Garden, from "The Passion of Christ" 1610 - 1700

This is "The Agony in the Garden," an engraving by Nicolas Cochin, made sometime in the 17th century. Engraving is an especially interesting medium. The artist begins with a smooth copper plate, using a tool called a burin to carve lines directly into the metal. This is a demanding process. The deeper the cut, the more ink it will hold, and the darker the line will appear in the final print. Cochin has masterfully controlled this process to create a full range of tonal values. Consider how this painstaking, linear process influences the image. Cochin uses hatching— closely spaced parallel lines—to build up shadows and define forms. Look at the sleeping figures in the foreground, how their bodies are described through the density and direction of these engraved lines. Prints like this one were relatively accessible, due to the reproducibility afforded by the medium. They allowed for the wide dissemination of images and ideas, playing a crucial role in shaping cultural and religious beliefs. Understanding the labor involved, and the social context of printmaking, helps us appreciate the artistic and historical significance of this small but powerful work.