The Betrayal of Christ, from "The Large Passion"

The Betrayal of Christ, from "The Large Passion" by Albrecht Dürer, created in 1511, is a powerful example of the German Renaissance woodcut. This dramatic scene is part of Dürer’s monumental series chronicling the narrative of Christ’s Suffering, a project that solidified his reputation as Northern Europe’s preeminent printmaker. By transforming the woodcut medium through complex, tightly controlled line work and deep contrasts, Dürer elevated the humble print to the status of high art and ensured the widespread distribution of profound religious imagery.

The piece captures the chaotic, tense moment of Christ’s arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. Dürer places Christ at the compositional center, presenting him with somber acceptance, a stark contrast to the surrounding throng of Men. The soldiers and members of the mob raise their Weapons and torches, emphasizing the violent intent of the crowd. The central action highlights the ultimate act of treachery: the betrayal signaled by the kiss of Judas, which initiates the sequence of the Passion. Dürer’s masterful manipulation of light and shadow communicates the immense human tension and spiritual drama inherent in this pivotal scene.

The technical brilliance demonstrated in this woodcut is characteristic of Dürer’s late graphic period, where precision and expressive force converged. This important historical print, The Betrayal of Christ, serves as a foundational example of early 16th-century prints and northern European graphic arts, and is housed in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.