Christ is depicted praying for guidance in the Garden of Gethsemane after the Last Supper. In the foreground the apostles James, Peter and John sleep while an angel appears bearing the cross of Crucifixion. Born in Arpino between Rome and Naples, Cesari, also known as Il Cavalier D’Arpino, gained some of the most prestigious commissions of the day.  He was knighted by his patron Pope Clement VIII and is most famous as being the ‘master’ of Caravaggio. This picture of the 1590s has the soft modelling and virtuoso classicism typical of his early style.

This work is currently on display:

Gallery 2

National Museum Cardiff, level 4

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