The Agony in the Garden 1940

Esther Newport made this image of The Agony in the Garden using what looks like woodblock printing. It's a process where the artist is really hands-on, carving into the wood, inking, pressing—the whole deal is physical. I love the way she's built this scene with layers of color and texture. Look at the way the blue of the night sky and the shadowy trees almost presses in on the figures below, but how the light emanating from Jesus creates a kind of haven around him. It's so rich! Each mark feels considered, not overworked, giving the whole image this quiet, contemplative feel. It reminds me a little bit of those early 20th century German Expressionist woodcuts, like something by Emil Nolde, where the artists were really trying to get at the raw emotion of a scene. It's like Newport taps into that same vein, making something that feels both timeless and deeply personal.