Who painted Le Christ au jardin des oliviers?

Le Christ au jardin des oliviers was painted by Louis Cretey in 1691.

Where can I see Le Christ au jardin des oliviers?

Le Christ au jardin des oliviers is held by Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon.

What movement is Le Christ au jardin des oliviers?

Le Christ au jardin des oliviers is associated with French Classical Baroque.

Artwork

Le Christ au jardin des oliviers

Louis Cretey , 1691

Le Christ au jardin des oliviers is an oil painting by the French Classical Baroque artist Louis Cretey. It dates from 1691 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon.

About this work

Overview

Louis Cretey’s 1691 oil painting *Le Christ au jardin des oliviers* presents a nocturnal scene set on a craggy ledge. A bearded figure in dark robes, with a pink shirt visible beneath and a blue mantle over his left shoulder, reclines barefoot. An angel in yellow holds a golden object, while a second, robed figure stands to the right, all beneath a storm‑filled sky.

Subject & Meaning

The work interprets the biblical episode of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, emphasizing solitude and impending sacrifice. The angel’s golden item suggests divine presence or a symbolic offering, while the additional cloaked figure may represent a disciple or attendant, reinforcing the theme of spiritual support amid turmoil.

Technique & Style

Cretey employs the French classical Baroque vocabulary, using strong chiaroscuro to model the figures against a darkened horizon. Warm hues of pink, blue, and yellow contrast with the somber sky, creating depth. The textured rock surface and the subtle rendering of clouds convey a tactile realism characteristic of the Lyonnaise school.

History & Provenance

Painted during Cretey’s mature period, the canvas entered the collection of the Musée des Beaux‑Arts de Lyon, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s focus on regional Baroque artists and contributes to the representation of 17th‑century French religious painting within the institution’s holdings.

Artist & collection

Artist

Louis Cretey

Louis Cretey, formerly known as Pierre-Louis Cretey (c.1635 – after 1702), was a French baroque painter and one of the leading masters in the Lyonnaise school.