Raphael's Influences in Developing The Agony in the Garden

The many different influences Raphael acted under while painting The Agony in the Garden developed his art style.

The piece was commissioned by the Sant’Antonio da Padova convent of Perugia, where Raphael spent much of his young life prior to moving to Florence, Italy. It was originally at the base of the larger Madonna and Child Enthroned, making up the Colonna Altarpiece.

Beyond just his patrons, many factors influenced Raphael’s depiction of the scene. These factors can be understood both by understanding Raphael’s relationship toward other artists of the Renaissance, his work's place within the Passion narrative, as well as through analyzing the painting itself for different artistic elements.