Agony in the Garden (Bellini)

, c. 1500|264x264px Giovanni Bellini is widely recognized as not only one of the foremost artists of Quattrocento Venice but of the entirety of the Italian Renaissance. Bellini's art often focused on landscapes with devotional subject matter, where his bold usage of color unites subject and form. == Influences ==

Bellini's Agony in the Garden is displayed side-by-side with Andrea Mantegna's work of the same name in the National Gallery. Mantegna was Bellini's brother-in-law, and his influence on Bellini is apparent; in fact, Bellini's rendering of Agony in the Garden was long-believed to be painted by Mantegna. == Composition and analysis ==

Agony in the Garden is an egg tempera painting on wood panel, most likely painted on poplar, as is common of Bellini's wood panel works. Bellini even evokes the details of sound in this silent medium of painting through his depiction of the apostles sleeping below Christ. The figure of St. Peter is portrayed reclined with his mouth agape in deep rest, adding realism to the scene. == Ownership ==

Until the mid-19th century Early Renaissance paintings were regarded as curiosities by most collectors. This one had probably belonged to Consul Smith in Venice (d. 1770), was bought by William Beckford at the Joshua Reynolds sale in 1795 for £5, then sold in 1823 with Fonthill Abbey and repurchased by Beckford at the Fonthill Sale the next year (as a Mantegna) for £52.10s. It was bought by the National Gallery for £630 in 1863, still a low price for the day. == See also ==