Who painted The Passion: The Betrayal of Christ?

The Passion: The Betrayal of Christ was painted by Hendrik Goltzius in 1598.

Where can I see The Passion: The Betrayal of Christ?

The Passion: The Betrayal of Christ is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Passion: The Betrayal of Christ?

The Passion: The Betrayal of Christ is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

The Passion: The Betrayal of Christ

Hendrik Goltzius , 1598

The Passion: The Betrayal of Christ is a print by the Renaissance artist Hendrik Goltzius. It dates from 1598 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1598 by Dutch artist Hendrick Goltzius, this print titled *The Passion: The Betrayal of Christ* is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection. Executed in the late‑Mannerist period, the work captures a pivotal moment from the New Testament narrative, rendered with the dramatic intensity characteristic of Goltzius’s graphic oeuvre.

Subject & Meaning

The image portrays the moment when Christ is seized by a hostile crowd. Central to the composition, the figure of Jesus stands composed while surrounding men grasp his arm, brandish a sword, and display a mixture of aggression and apprehension. The turbulent sky behind them heightens the sense of imminent tragedy, underscoring themes of betrayal and sacrifice.

Technique & Style

Goltzius employs a vigorous chiaroscuro, using stark contrasts of light and dark to model forms and intensify emotional tension. The fine line work and dense cross‑hatching typical of his prints generate a rich tonal range, while the exaggerated gestures and elongated figures reflect the Mannerist taste for artificial elegance and dramatic movement.

History & Provenance

The print was produced in the artist’s workshop in Haarlem and circulated among collectors of the late sixteenth century. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through a 20th‑century acquisition, where it remains on view as an example of Goltzius’s contribution to the development of Northern European printmaking.

Artist & collection

Artist

Hendrik Goltzius

Hendrick Goltzius (German: , Dutch: ; né Goltz; January or February 1558 – 1 January 1617) was a German-born Dutch printmaker, draftsman, and painter.