Gethsemane und Golgotha 1873

This is the title page of "Gethsemane und Golgatha", or "Gethsemane and Golgotha", published in Berlin by Verlag von Ludwig Rauch. It is a "Passionsbuch", which is a book of sermons. The image shows Christ praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, a moment of intense emotional and spiritual agony before his crucifixion. Here, we see a photographic reproduction of a painting, illustrating the printing press’s contribution to the dissemination of religious imagery for mass audiences in nineteenth-century Germany. This visual language, steeped in Christian theology, served as a powerful tool for moral instruction. To truly understand its cultural impact, it is essential to consider the religious and social context. By researching the history of German Protestantism and the publishing industry, we gain insights into the intersection of faith, art, and commerce. This page reflects the complex interplay of religious institutions, artistic production, and the spread of ideas in the modern era.