The Betrayal of Christ
c. 1500–c. 1525
Medium
Alabaster, with polychromy and gilding
Dimensions
48.3 × 30.5 cm (19 × 12 in.)
Classification
relief
Department
Painting and Sculpture of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
117245
Art Historical Context
This alabaster relief, created by an English artist around 1500–1525, captures the dramatic moment of the Betrayal of Christ, when Judas identifies Jesus with a kiss in the Garden of Gethsemane. Measuring just 19 by 12 inches, the compact panel was likely part of a larger altarpiece or devotional ensemble displayed in a church or private. Its classification as a relief highlights the intricate carving techniques that allowed sculptors to suggest depth and movement within a shallow surface. English alabaster workshops flourished during this period, producing affordable yet luminous religious w...