Agony in the Garden 

Paul Troger made this pen and brown ink drawing titled ‘Agony in the Garden’, probably in Austria during the first half of the 18th century. Here, we see the depiction of an angel holding a chalice in front of Christ. The Catholic church in Austria, as elsewhere in Europe, played a central role in shaping society during this period, and artists often worked on commissions for churches and monasteries. Troger himself created numerous frescoes and altarpieces for religious institutions. The prevalence of religious art in public spaces served to reinforce the Church's teachings and its authority. Troger's image is based on a biblical scene that was especially potent during a period of religious consolidation. To understand this artwork more fully, you might research the history of the Catholic Church in Austria, or investigate the theological significance of the Agony in the Garden. By examining these contexts, we can gain a deeper appreciation of the cultural and historical forces that shaped Troger's work.