The Betrayal of Christ

The Betrayal of Christ by Albrecht Dürer, created in 1510, is a masterful example of the artist's mature printmaking style and a powerful depiction of one of the foundational events of Christian iconography. Executed as a woodcut on laid paper, this piece belongs to the highly productive period of 1501 to 1550, a crucial era for the flourishing of the German Renaissance. This work demonstrates the dramatic power Dürer could achieve through the stark contrast of carved black lines and the negative white space of the paper, exploiting the inherent angularity of the woodcut technique.

Dürer, a central figure in the history of German art, was instrumental in elevating printmaking from a craft to a recognized art form, allowing complex, narrative religious subjects to reach a broad audience. The scene captures the confrontation in the Garden of Gethsemane, focusing intensely on the intimate yet devastating kiss of Judas, which identifies Christ to the surrounding soldiers. The composition is tightly packed and energetic, contrasting the calm resignation of Christ with the aggressive movements of the figures prepared to arrest him. This dramatic intensity reflects Dürer’s commitment to sophisticated character study, even when constrained by the technical requirements of the wood block.

The widespread dissemination of such religious prints across Europe during the 16th century profoundly influenced subsequent generations of European artists. The accessibility and reproducibility of prints meant that Dürer’s iconic style was known far beyond Nuremberg. As woodcuts were typically produced in large editions, many impressions of the artist’s work survive today, providing invaluable insight into the period’s artistic culture. This specific impression of The Betrayal of Christ is held within the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art. Due to its historical importance and age, high-resolution reproductions and prints of this monumental German work are often made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring continued access for scholarship and enjoyment worldwide.