The Betrayal of Christ, from The Large Passion

The Betrayal of Christ, from The Large Passion by Albrecht Dürer (German, 1471-1528) is a powerful black woodcut print executed in 1510. This dramatic composition is one of the twelve iconic illustrations comprising the celebrated series, The Large Passion, which meticulously chronicled the suffering and death of Christ. The medium is black ink expertly pressed onto cream laid paper, a technical feat that demonstrates the revolutionary precision Dürer brought to the art of the woodcut during the height of the German Renaissance.

The scene captures the chaotic moment of Christ’s arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, focusing on the central action of the treacherous kiss of Judas. Unlike many earlier depictions, Dürer emphasizes the intense conflict, filling the frame with aggressive soldiers, expressive gestures, and the defensive action of Peter drawing his sword. The dynamic composition and the careful manipulation of heavy, expressive contour lines transformed the perceived limitations of the woodcut medium in Germany and across Northern Europe. These accessible prints were highly effective tools for disseminating complex religious narratives to a broad audience during the early 16th century.

Dürer’s proficiency allowed him to achieve a richness of tone and texture typically associated only with copperplate engraving, ensuring his narrative cycles were highly sought after by collectors and devout individuals. The complexity achieved by the artist, particularly in the rendering of armor and fabric folds, cemented the status of Dürer as the foremost master of graphic arts. This influential impression of The Betrayal of Christ resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a defining masterwork from the German tradition now widely accessible, high-quality images of this print remain essential for art historical study and appreciation worldwide.