Shallow bowl with The Agony in the Garden 1538

This is a 16th-century istoriato, or history painted, shallow bowl depicting the Agony in the Garden made by Baldassare Manara. The circular form encloses a scene dominated by blues, greens, and earth tones, creating a contemplative mood. The composition places Christ at the upper center, kneeling and gazing heavenward, with the angel presenting the cup of sorrows. Below, the sleeping disciples are arranged in a semi-circle. The artist uses a limited palette, focusing on the interplay between light and shadow to model the figures and landscape. The scene, framed by a blue sky and stylized hills, evokes a sense of isolation and spiritual anguish. Manara’s deliberate arrangement of figures within the circular space reflects an interest in symmetry and balance characteristic of Renaissance art. It encourages a reading of the artwork not just as a narrative scene, but as a structured meditation on faith, sacrifice, and human frailty. The circular boundary emphasizes the enclosed nature of this spiritual moment.