Artwork
The Betrayal of Christ
The Betrayal of Christ is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Guercino. It dates from 1621 and is held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Betrayal of Christ is an oil painting created by Guercino in 1621, exemplifying the early Baroque style in Italian art.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a pivotal moment in Christian narrative, showing a group of men surrounding and restraining a central figure, identified as Christ, amidst a dramatic play of light and shadow.
Technique & Style
Guercino's use of chiaroscuro, a technique emphasizing contrasts between light and dark, creates a tense atmosphere, highlighting the emotional intensity of the scene through the figures' facial expressions and the stark illumination.
History & Provenance
The painting is part of the Fitzwilliam Museum's collection, representing the work of Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, known as Guercino, a notable Italian Baroque painter from Cento.
Artist & collection
Artist
Giovanni Francesco Barbieri (8 February 1591 – 22 December 1666), better known as (il) Guercino (Italian pronunciation: ), was an Italian Baroque painter and draftsman from Cento in the Emilia region, who was active in Rome and Bologna.
