Gevangenneming van Christus

About this artwork

blad: hoogte 215 mm x breedte 167 mm

Art Historical Context

**Gevangenneming van Christus (The Arrest of Christ)** This poignant woodcut print, titled *Gevangenneming van Christus*—Dutch for "The Arrest of Christ"—captures a dramatic biblical moment from the Garden of Gethsemane, where Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss, leading to his capture by Roman soldiers. Created between 1490 and 1526 on a modest sheet of paper measuring 215 mm high by 167 mm wide, the artwork exemplifies the intimate scale of early prints designed for personal devotion or study. Attributed to the anonymous hand of Hans Wechtlin (I), a German engraver and woodcutter active in Strasbourg during the Northern Renaissance, this piece reflects the era's mastery of woodcut techniques. Wechtlin, influenced by masters like Albrecht Dürer, employed fine lines and tonal shading to convey emotion and movement, making complex narratives accessible through affordable prints rather than costly paintings. In the late medieval to early Reformation period, such religious imagery held profound cultural importance, fostering private piety amid rising literacy and print culture. Though unattributed in its time, its survival highlights the enduring appeal of these vivid scenes, bridging art and faith for everyday viewers.