Judas kissing Christ surrounded by soldiers; St Peter attacking Malchus in foreground, from "The Passion of Christ"
Original title: Judas kissing Christ surrounded by soldiers; St Peter attacking Malchus in foreground, from "The Passion of Christ", after Dürer
kurzbeschreibung
Marcantonio Raimondi engraved this scene of Christ's arrest between 1500 and 1534 after a design by Albrecht Dürer. This third-state impression captures the moment Judas kisses Christ while soldiers surround them and, in the foreground, Peter attacks Malchus.
Description
Armed soldiers stand around the two men kissing at the center—Judas and Christ. In front, a figure, Peter, lunges with a sword at a man fallen to the ground, Malchus. The participants wear traditional garments; their faces reveal intense emotions. The background is kept minimal, directing attention to the main action. Fine details and strong light-dark contrasts define the Renaissance execution.
Context
Raimondi based this work on a design by Albrecht Dürer from his series 'The Passion of Christ'. Raimondi was known for reproductive engravings after others' works, especially Dürer. The date of creation cannot be precisely determined and is presumed to be around 1500–1534. Three states of this print exist; the third indicates reworking of the plate.
Impact
Dense figure grouping and expressive gestures create dramatic tension. Harsh light-shadow contrasts heighten the emotional force of the event. The viewer is drawn directly into the moment.
Technique
Delicate lines and hatching model figures and textures—hallmarks of engraving. This allows details to be rendered precisely and with great fineness. That this is the third state suggests later alterations to the printing plate.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)