Artwork

Christ on the Mount of Olives

Christ on the Mount of Olives, by John Baptist Jackson, ink, 1743
Christ on the Mount of Olives, by John Baptist Jackson, ink, 1743

Christ on the Mount of Olives is an ink print by the Baroque artist John Baptist Jackson. It dates from 1743 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Christ on the Mount of Olives is a woodcut print created by John Baptist Jackson in 1743. It is executed in dark brown on laid paper.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts Christ praying on the Mount of Olives, surrounded by turbulent clouds and wind. Angels are shown nearby, their wings blurred, while a distant town glows faintly in the background. A Latin inscription at the bottom praises the subject.

Technique & Style

Jackson employed innovative techniques, including subtle overprinting and embossing, to achieve deep shadows and sharp lines. The use of a single color on dark paper creates an intense atmosphere, capturing the drama of the scene.

History & Provenance

John Baptist Jackson was a British woodcut printmaker active in Paris and Venice during the 18th century. He was known for reproducing oil paintings in woodcut, experimenting with oil-based inks and embossing to expand the medium's expressive possibilities.

Artist & collection

Portrait of John Baptist Jackson

Artist

John Baptist Jackson

John Baptist Jackson (1701–1780) was a British artist, a woodcut printmaker of the eighteenth century.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.