Judas Leaving the High Priest

The powerful drawing, Judas Leaving the High Priest by Anonymous Artist; Rembrandt van Rijn, captures a moment of intense biblical drama. Executed in pen and brown ink with brown and gray wash on laid paper, this detailed study exemplifies the technical dexterity characteristic of 17th-century Dutch draftsmanship. The choice of medium allows for a rapid yet nuanced representation, using the wash to define masses of shadow and emphasize the emotional weight of the scene. Classified simply as a drawing, this piece is associated with a critical artistic period dating from 1601 to 1650, a time when dramatic intensity and psychological realism defined northern European art.

The subject matter depicts Judas Iscariot’s departure, often interpreted as the moment immediately following his negotiation or his expression of remorse after the betrayal of Christ. While the specific culture of the artist remains Unknown, the drawing’s stylistic language is strongly associated with the young Rembrandt van Rijn and his artistic circle. The composition utilizes deep contrast, characteristic of the evolving Baroque style, to highlight the central figure of Judas as he moves away from the authority represented by the High Priest. The expressive lines and dynamic quality, typical of Rijn’s developing technique, are evident in the treatment of the figures’ robes and the surrounding environment.

This significant work is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as an important point of reference for studying the development of the master's early drawing style. Though generally attributed to Rijn, the work’s precise authorship and place of creation remain a subject of ongoing scholarly debate, reflecting the difficulty in definitively attributing many early 17th-century drawings. As a historically significant piece, high-quality prints of the work Judas Leaving the High Priest are often made available through public domain initiatives, allowing broader accessibility to this powerful visual interpretation of the biblical narrative.