Who painted The Betrayal of Christ?

The Betrayal of Christ was painted by Albrecht Dürer in 1508.

Where can I see The Betrayal of Christ?

The Betrayal of Christ is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is The Betrayal of Christ?

The Betrayal of Christ is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Artwork

The Betrayal of Christ

Albrecht Dürer , 1508

The Betrayal of Christ is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1508 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Albrecht Dürer’s 1508 engraving titled *The Betrayal of Christ* presents a pivotal moment from the New Testament narrative. Executed on laid paper, the print captures the instant when Judas identifies Jesus to the arresting soldiers, emphasizing the tension and drama inherent in the scene.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on the figure of Christ, poised calmly amid the surrounding turmoil, while Judas, clutching a purse, gestures toward him, signaling the betrayal. The work reflects theological themes of loyalty, treachery, and the foreordained sacrifice, inviting contemplation of moral conflict within a biblical context.

Technique & Style

Dürer employed the intaglio engraving process, incising lines into a copper plate before transferring the image onto paper. His meticulous line work creates nuanced textures and subtle gradations of tone, while the dynamic arrangement of figures demonstrates his exploration of movement and emotional expression within the constraints of printmaking.

History & Provenance

Created during Dürer’s early mature period, the engraving was produced for a market of devotional prints circulating in early sixteenth‑century Europe. Surviving copies are held in several major collections, attesting to the work’s wide distribution and its role in disseminating the artist’s religious imagery.