Christ in Gethsemane 

The Limbourg brothers created this illumination of Christ in Gethsemane around 1410, likely in France, as part of a larger prayer book for a wealthy patron. The choice of this particular biblical scene speaks volumes about the social anxieties of the time. The plague pandemics had destabilized social structures, and the painting reflects a society grappling with profound uncertainty. Christ's solitary figure, set against the dark night sky, emphasizes his isolation and the burden of his impending sacrifice. The sleeping disciples at the bottom further enhance this sense of abandonment, mirroring the perceived absence of divine intervention during times of crisis. To fully understand this piece, scholars investigate illuminated manuscripts, religious treatises, and social histories of the early 15th century. This offers an insight into the complex interplay between faith, fear, and artistic expression during a period of upheaval.