Plaque with The Betrayal of Christ

Art Historical Context

This exquisite 15th-century plaque, titled *The Betrayal of Christ* and crafted by the French enameler Monvaern, captures a pivotal moment from the Passion of Christ: Judas's treacherous kiss in the Garden ofethsemane. Measuring just under 10 inches square, this delicate painted enamel on copper exemplifies the medieval artistry of Limoges workshops, where enameling flourished as an accessible yet luxurious medium for religious devotion. Painted enamels like this one involved firing finely ground glass colors onto a copper base, creating vibrant, jewel-like hues that endure centuries. Monvaerni's work reflects the late Gothic style prevalent in France, with its emphasis on expressive figures—here, Christ and surrounding men rendered in meticulous detail against a narrative backdrop. Such plaques adorned altars, reliquaries, or private chapels, blending piety with technical virtuosity. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Medieval Art department through the Bequest of Benjamin Altman in 1913, this piece highlights the cultural role of enamels in 15th-century France, bridging ecclesiastical art and lay spirituality. Visitors will appreciate its luminous intensity, a testament to the era's innovative craftsmanship.