Who painted Betrayal of Judas?

Betrayal of Judas was painted by French 17th Century in 1650.

Where can I see Betrayal of Judas?

Betrayal of Judas is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Betrayal of Judas?

Betrayal of Judas is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Betrayal of Judas

French 17th Century , 1650

Betrayal of Judas is an ink print by the Baroque artist French 17th Century. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

This engraving depicts a dramatic nocturnal scene featuring five men, with a central figure illuminated by a lantern, set against a turbulent background of dark trees and swirling clouds.

Subject & Meaning

The composition appears to illustrate a moment of high tension, possibly the Betrayal of Judas, as suggested by the title. The emotional states of the figures—tension, worry, and urgency—are conveyed through their postures and facial expressions.

Technique & Style

The engraving employs cross-hatching, a technique of layered parallel lines, to achieve deep shadows and highlights. This method imbues the scene with a sense of rough immediacy and emotional intensity.

History & Provenance

No specific historical or provenance details are provided for this engraving, including the artist's identity or date of creation.

Context

The use of cross-hatching suggests the work may align with 16th- to 18th-century European printmaking traditions, where this technique was commonly used to create detailed, high-contrast images.

Legacy

The engraving's impact or influence on subsequent art is not specified, though its demonstration of cross-hatching's expressive potential reflects a broader artistic legacy in printmaking.

Artist & collection

Artist

French 17th Century

Seventeenth-century French printmakers turned ink into story. Their tools were burin and acid, paper their stage. Look at the Beggar Woman with Rosary (1622), etched on laid paper, her hands folded around faith, or The…