The Betrayal of Christ

1510

Albrecht Dürer

Associated Names
Albrecht Dürer

Artist, German, 1471 - 1528

This is a battle scene featuring a dense and chaotic array of soldiers and weapons. The detailed drawing depicts numerous figures wearing various armor types and wielding weapons such as spears and swords. They are engaged in intense action against a forest backdrop. Additionally, a large, gnarled tree is visible in the upper right corner, adding a twisted natural element. The composition conveys depth and turmoil through the overlapping figures and dynamic postures. The style is reminiscent of the intricate compositions found in the work of Albrecht Dürer.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    woodcut on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet (trimmed to block): 40 × 28.4 cm (15 3/4 × 11 3/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.3626

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Meder, no. 116

  • Series Title

    The Large Passion

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

August Artaria [1807-1893], Vienna (Lugt 33); purchased by Lessing J. Rosenwald [1891-1979], Jenkintown, PA (Lugt 1760b and Lugt 1932d), 1929; gift to NGA, 1943.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1957

  • The Life of Christ in Prints, 14 venue touring exhibition organized by the American Federation of Arts (J.B. Speed Museum, Louisville, KY; Grand Rapids Art Gallery, MI; Time, Inc., New York, NY; Washington County Museum, Hagerstown, MD; Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Fine Arts Center, Colorado Springs, CO; Newcomb College, New Orleans, LA; Wells College, Aurora, NY; Mississippi Art Association, Jackson, MS; Calgary Allied Arts Centre, Alberta, Canada; Edmonton Art Gallery, Alberta, Canada; Sackville Art Association, New Brunswick, Canada; and Winnipeg Art Gallery, Manitoba, Canada), 1957-1960, no cat.

1971

  • Prints by Albrecht Durer, Birmingham Museum of Art, 1971.

Bibliography

1932

  • Meder, Joseph. Dürer-Katalog; ein Handbuch über Albrecht Dürers Stiche, Radierungen, Holzschnitte, deren Zustände, Ausgaben und Wasserzeichen. Vienna: Verlag Gilhofer und Ranschburg, 1932. Reprint. New York: Da Capo Press, 1971: no. 116.

2001

  • Schoch, Rainer, Mattihas Mende, and Anna Scherbaum. Albrecht Dürer: Das druckgraphische Werk. Munich, 2001: vol. 2: no. 157.

Inscriptions

n block, within image at upper left: 1510; in block, within image at lower left: AD [artist's monogram]; vero, bottom center, in graphite by a later hand: La prise de Jesus Crist / B. N. 7.; verso, lower right, in graphite by a later hand: C.9399

Watermarks

Name of Mary (Meder 316)

Wikidata ID

Q18338551

You may be interested in

Loading Results