German school, ca. 1550

German school, ca. 1550.
"St. Peter and St. John sleeping in the Garden of Olives".
Carved wood.
Dormant xylophagous marks.
With remains of polychrome.
Measurements: 68 x 69 x 26 cm.

The exquisite carving in tender is part of a larger set that would represent Jesus in the Garden of Olives at the moment when the angel comforts him, while his disciples Peter, John and James sleep at his side (Matthew: ch. 26 v. 37; Mark: ch. 14 v. 33). The Gospels narrate that, distressed by a strange sadness, Jesus went to pray on the Mount of Olives, where the apostles followed him. Once there, Jesus withdraws to one side to pray, the moment of the crucifixion becoming present to him. Thus, this episode begins the bloody Passion in the soul of Christ. The apostles fall into a deep sleep, and an angel appears to Jesus to comfort him.