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Judas Leaving the High Priest

Unknown

1638

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque

Dominant colour

Judas Leaving the High Priest is a 1638 ink by Unknown, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1638 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a tense scene with a few people in a dimly lit room. One man on a raised platform holds a staff and looks like he’s talking or gesturing. Below, another man leans forward, listening intently. In the background, a group of figures sits along a balcony, watching. The walls are plain, and the lighting is uneven, casting shadows. The artist used quick, sketchy lines to suggest movement and emotion. The focus is on the man on the platform, making him the center of attention. The rough, ink-washed style gives it a hurried, almost dramatic feel. Next, look up cross-hatching to see how artists create depth with lines like these.