Fragment of an Altarpiece with the Betrayal of Christ and the Suicide of Judas

Art Historical Context

This limestone relief fragment, created by an unknown French artist between 1300 and 1325, once formed part of a larger altarpiece designed for a church setting. Measuring just 18 by 19¾ inches, the carved scene captures two dramatic moments from the Passion of Christ: the Betrayal, where Judas identifies Jesus with a kiss, and the subsequent suicide of Judas. Such narrative pairings were common in medieval religious art, guiding worshippers through the story of Christ’s final days. Carved in limestone, a material favored in northern France for its fine grain and workability, the relief would likely have been painted in vibrant colors to enhance its visibility from a distance. As a fragment, it offers a glimpse into the elaborate sculptural programs that adorned Gothic altars, blending storytelling with devotional purpose. Today housed in the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection of European sculpture, the piece reminds visitors of how medieval artists used compact stone surfaces to convey powerful moral and spiritual lessons.

About the Artist

French

Georges Hugnet (1906–1974) was a multifaceted French artist, poet, writer, and critic whose innovative collages and graphic works bridged Dada and Surrealism. Born in Paris on July 11, 1906, he spent much of his early childhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina, returning to France around 1913. His early life and artistic training remain sparsely documented, with no records of formal art school attendanc...