Honthorst was the most famous and prolific of the Dutch Caravaggists. His early works came the closest to Caravaggio's mature style. He studied with Bloemaert in Utrecht from 1610-1619.

This painting demonstrates the qualities that Honthorst found in Italy. It shows the agitated energy with which he invests his narrative, mastery of composition, and his undoubted gift as a colourist. This interpretation of Christ in the garden corresponds with Luke 22: 41-44.