The Betrayal of Christ (n.d., Met-Objekt 373)
Original title: The Betrayal of Christ
kurzbeschreibung
Albrecht Dürer's woodcut "Die Verleugnung Christi" from 1510 presents the arrest of Jesus by soldiers. The print, made using the woodcut technique, is one of the artist's Passion motifs.
Description
Christ stands at the center, surrounded by armed men who point lances and sabers at him. Some wear armor and helmets, while others go barefoot in simple garments. Behind the group, other figures are caught up in a struggle. The layout feels decidedly uneven and full of unrest, with numerous movements and interactions. Black on white, the varied lines and hatching stand out.
Context
Dürer made this woodcut in 1510, when he was deeply engaged with biblical subjects. The print belongs to a series of Passion scenes intended for sale on the print market. Such prints were widespread at the time and supported the religious instruction of a broad audience.
Impact
The uneven arrangement and the crowded group of figures create a tense, threatening atmosphere. Through the delicate lines and gradations, the event gains a dramatic depth that draws the viewer directly in.
Technique
This sheet was produced by taking an impression from a single woodblock. The result is a print whose fine lines and shading, characteristic of Dürer's precise cutting technique, render the dense, dynamic confrontation with remarkable detail, from the soldiers' armor and helmets to the barefoot figures and the equal, even lighting throughout the monochrome composition.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)