Important Old Master Paintings and European Works of Art Including Property of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery

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Lot 230
  • 230

North Netherlandish, 15th century

Estimate
60,000 - 80,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • The Agony in the Garden with Kneeling Donors

  • dated on the frame, lower center 1489; inscribed in gilt from the male and female donors respectively d[omi]ne meme[n]to.mei (Lord, remember me) and hes otfarvit myre[?]; inscribed on the back of the panel DONO DEDIT AMICAE; and charged on the frame with the arms of Juden (or Judei) and Zours (Seurs, Zoers, Soerse or Zouirs) of Westphalia 

  • oil on panel

Provenance

Mlle. Dobbelstein, inscribed on the back of the panel: 
CE TABLEAU/ APARTIEN A/ MADAMOISELLE/ DE/ DOBBELSTEIN

 

Catalogue Note

The Agony in the Garden is in its main composition a very traditional depiction of the scene at Gethsemane, but it has some extremely unusual elements as well.  The placement of the sleeping Apostles so close to the viewers is uncommon, and the depiction of St. Peter, flat on his back and sound asleep is a particularly human and sympathetic portrayal of the saint.  The loving and detailed description of the foreground flowers so near the apostles’ heads adds another unexpected element. 

The inclusion of the donors in the foreground is very unusual and suggests this could be the work of a provincial master; or, it is possible that the donors did not want to spend the extra money to have themselves portrayed on side panels, which would have been more usual.  The Agony in the Garden in the Johnson collection in Philadelphia also has the donors' portraits incorporated into the composition, but the work itself is so different in style and composition that it is unlikely to be related.