Agony in the Garden
In loving memory of the William Butler Family
And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down and prayed, saying, "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; yet not my will, but thine, be done."-- Luke 22:41-42
In this beautiful composition, Jesus is shown in the olive orchards of Gethsemane in the Mount of Olives. Flowers and a young olive tree grow near his feet. His upturned face and clasped hands with fingers interwoven reveal the intensity of his prayer. Light from heaven streams toward him out of a dark blue sky. Between a large olive tree and a cypress in the background we catch a glimpse of Jerusalem across the Kidron Valley. In the middle distance, about a "stone's cast" away, slumber the three disciples -- Peter, James and John. Peter leans on the sword with which a short while later he offers a fruitless defence against the servant of the high priest (John 18:10).
From an artistic viewpoint this is one of the finest windows in the series. The flowing curves of the olive tree and of the folds of Jesus' cloak give breadth to the composition as the various layers give depth. And the colors are wonderful: the rich green-gold of the olives, the deep blue of the night sky, and the glowing ruby red of Jesus' sacrificial cloak.
And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down and prayed, saying, "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; yet not my will, but thine, be done."-- Luke 22:41-42
In this beautiful composition, Jesus is shown in the olive orchards of Gethsemane in the Mount of Olives. Flowers and a young olive tree grow near his feet. His upturned face and clasped hands with fingers interwoven reveal the intensity of his prayer. Light from heaven streams toward him out of a dark blue sky. Between a large olive tree and a cypress in the background we catch a glimpse of Jerusalem across the Kidron Valley. In the middle distance, about a "stone's cast" away, slumber the three disciples -- Peter, James and John. Peter leans on the sword with which a short while later he offers a fruitless defence against the servant of the high priest (John 18:10).
From an artistic viewpoint this is one of the finest windows in the series. The flowing curves of the olive tree and of the folds of Jesus' cloak give breadth to the composition as the various layers give depth. And the colors are wonderful: the rich green-gold of the olives, the deep blue of the night sky, and the glowing ruby red of Jesus' sacrificial cloak.
