The Betrayal of Christ

c. 1460/1465

German 15th Century

Associated Names
German 15th Century

Artist

This is a painting of a group scene with seven figures. The figures are intricately dressed in varied garments, with colors such as yellow, green, and earthy tones predominating. The central figure appears to be the focal point, as the others are positioned around in different poses, with some extending arms or gesturing animatedly. Two figures have halos over their heads. The background is simplified with broad strokes of teal and pale colors, bordered by a thin orange frame. The scene conveys a sense of interaction and narrative intent, typical of stories depicted in illuminated manuscripts from the medieval period.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    woodcut, hand-colored in blue-green, orange, yellow, and tan

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.468

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Schreiber, Vol. *, no. 217, State b

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Martin Aufhäuser [1875-1944], Munich, Holland, and Los Angeles; [1] sold 1939 via his son Walter Aufhäuser to Lessing J. Rosenwald, Jenkintown, PA (L.1760c and L.1932d); gift to NGA, 1943.
[1] For more information on Aufhäuser's collection, see Gallery Archives, National Gallery of Art, Rosenwald Papers, Box 9; Lessing J. Rosenwald, Recollections of a Collector, Jenkintown, Pa, 1976, pp. 14-18, and Richard S. Field, Fifteenth Century Woodcuts and Metalcuts, Washington, D.C., 1965, Preface (np).

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1965

  • Fifteenth-Century Woodcuts and Metalcuts from the Collection of the National Gallery of Art, NGA, 1965-1966, no. 42, repro.

Bibliography

1926

  • Schreiber, Wilhelm Ludwig. Handbuch de Holz- und Metailschnitte des XV Jahrhunderts. 8 vols. Leipzig: Verlag Karl W. Hierseman, 1926-1930.

1965

  • Field, Richard S. Fifteenth Century Woodcuts and Metalcuts from the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.. Exh. cat. Washington: National Gallery of Art, 1965: no. 42.

Wikidata ID

Q64952903

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