The Betrayal of Christ

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 works that combined sculpture with painting. The material’s soft, translucent quality was enhanced here by polychromy—vibrant painted colors—and gilding, which caught the light of candles or sunlight to create a sense of heavenly radiance. These techniques made biblical stories vivid and accessible to worshippers who might not read Latin texts. Such works reflect a rich tradition of late medieval devotional art in England just before the Reformation. They served both as teaching tools and objects of quiet contemplation, inviting viewers to connect emotionally with the Passion narrative through their glowing surfaces and expressive figures.