Who painted The Betrayal of Christ?

The Betrayal of Christ was painted by German 15th Century in 1462.

Where can I see The Betrayal of Christ?

The Betrayal of Christ is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Betrayal of Christ?

The Betrayal of Christ is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

The Betrayal of Christ

German 15th Century , 1462

The Betrayal of Christ is an ink print by the Renaissance artist German 15th Century. It dates from 1462 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The work is a hand‑colored woodcut depicting the moment Judas identifies Jesus with a kiss.

About this work

Overview

The work is a hand‑colored woodcut depicting the moment Judas identifies Jesus with a kiss. Central to the composition is Christ, robed and sorrowful, while Judas leans in to betray him. Surrounding figures—some armed, others reacting with shock or anger—frame the scene, emphasizing the drama of the instant.

Subject & Meaning

The image captures the biblical episode of betrayal, focusing on the contrast between Jesus’s calm resignation and Judas’s guilty gesture. The surrounding onlookers, armed and expressive, highlight the tension between loyalty and treachery, inviting contemplation of moral conflict and the consequences of deceit.

Technique & Style

Executed as a woodcut, the design was incised into a wooden block, inked, and pressed onto paper. After printing, the image was hand‑colored using a limited palette of blue‑green, orange, yellow, and tan, a common practice in Renaissance printmaking that added depth and visual interest to the monochrome medium.

History & Provenance

Woodcut prints of this type were widely produced during the Renaissance, allowing for broader distribution of religious narratives. While specific ownership details are not recorded, the piece reflects the period’s interest in disseminating biblical stories through affordable, reproducible art.

Context

The scene aligns with contemporary devotional imagery that emphasized emotional engagement with scriptural events. By portraying the betrayal with vivid colors and expressive figures, the print would have served both as a visual meditation and as an instructional tool for viewers.

Legacy

Prints like this contributed to the spread of narrative art beyond elite circles, influencing later religious illustration and the development of mass‑produced imagery in European art history.