The Agony in the Garden, from 'Iconographia' 1670

Melchior Küsel’s etching "The Agony in the Garden" from the series 'Iconographia' (1670) depicts a scene from the New Testament, showing Jesus Christ praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. The composition features a dramatic contrast between the celestial scene above, with angels ascending to heaven, and the earthly scene below, where Jesus is shown kneeling in prayer with three disciples sleeping nearby. The print exemplifies the Baroque era's penchant for theatrical compositions and emotional intensity. Küsel's detailed rendering of the figures and landscape, along with the use of light and shadow, contributes to the dramatic impact of the scene. This print, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, offers a powerful glimpse into the artist’s mastery of etching and his exploration of religious themes.