The painting is the model, finished down to the smallest detail, of the large canvas by Andrea Pozzo on display in the parochial hall of the Church of San Francesco di Paola in Milan.
The composition is permeated by an intense feeling of drama, amplified by the powerful contrasts of chiaroscuro generated by the beam of light that, cutting through the clouds, falls from above to light up the figure of Christ.
In accordance with the story told by the Gospel of Matthew, Christ is shown lying on the ground on his back in front of a chalice, in the painful premonition of the Passion. The theatrical character of the scene is highlighted by the weeping angels who are comforting the Saviour. Their silhouettes stand out with incredible backlighting effects against the dark background.
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