The Betrayal of Christ, from The Large Passion

The Betrayal of Christ, from The Large Passion, created by Albrecht Dürer German, 1471-1528, is a pivotal image from the artist's seminal series detailing the Passion of Christ. Executed in 1510, this large-scale sheet exemplifies Dürer’s unparalleled technical command of the woodcut medium. Unlike his smaller copperplate engravings, these prints were designed for maximum dramatic impact and widespread distribution, reinforcing his stature across Germany and Northern Europe during the Renaissance. The stark black ink on ivory laid paper emphasizes the intricate detail achievable through Dürer’s innovative use of cross-hatching and dense pattern work.

Dürer masterfully depicts the intense and chaotic moment of Christ's arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. The crowded composition centers on the central act of treachery: the exchange between Christ and the betrayer, Judas. While Judas leans in for the infamous kiss, Roman soldiers and high priests surge around them, armed with spears and lanterns. The energy and emotional weight of the scene are powerfully conveyed through the heavy, decisive line work characteristic of the German master’s prints from this period.

Produced at the height of the Northern Renaissance, Dürer’s religious prints played a vital role in popular devotion and artistic innovation throughout early 16th century Germany. The monumental scale and dramatic scope of The Large Passion series solidified its place as a cornerstone of printmaking history. This significant impression, showcasing the precision and clarity of the woodcut technique, resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, serving as a prime example of Dürer’s enduring artistic legacy.