Agony in the Garden (second variation)

A half-length figure of a bearded man is shown in strict profile, long chestnut hair falling past his shoulders, eyes raised and lips parted as if in fervent prayer. His hands are pressed together in supplication at the lower right, a pale garment draped over one shoulder, while the background dissolves into swirling dark clouds broken by patches of grey-blue light.

Thick impasto strokes model the face in warm ochre, umber and rose tones against cool blue-grey shadows, the paint built up almost sculpturally around the brow, cheekbones and clasped fingers. Strong chiaroscuro isolates the illuminated head from the churning dark background, giving the image an intense, anguished devotional atmosphere.