The Agony in the Garden, ?after Raphael. Verso: Sketch of a Girl Extending her Hand to a Man 

Editor: This is Thomas Stothard's "The Agony in the Garden, after Raphael," a small pen and ink drawing. It feels…unfinished, almost vulnerable. What strikes you when you look at it? Curator: The vulnerability is key. Stothard is grappling with Raphael's idealised form, isn't he? He's humanising the scene, focusing on the raw emotion of the moment. What does it mean to depict such a pivotal religious moment with such stark lack of embellishment? Does that change the narrative for you? Editor: I guess it makes it feel more relatable, less like a distant, untouchable story. Curator: Exactly. And consider the historical context: Stothard was working during a time of immense social upheaval and questioning of religious authority. This piece could be interpreted as a reflection of that broader cultural shift. It definitely is something to consider. Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way! Thanks. Curator: My pleasure.