Artwork
The arrest of Christ
The arrest of Christ is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Arent de Gelder. It dates from 1718 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition underscores the tension of the arrest through gestures and lighting, reflecting Baroque-era artistic intent to convey spiritual intensity.
The painting depicts the biblical moment of Jesus' arrest, a scene drawn from the New Testament narratives of his capture in the Garden of Gethsemane. As part of the religious art tradition, the work emphasizes the dramatic confrontation between Christ and the soldiers, highlighting themes of sacrifice and betrayal central to Christian theology. The composition underscores the tension of the arrest through gestures and lighting, reflecting Baroque-era artistic intent to convey spiritual intensity.
This subject aligns with devotional practices in Dutch Reformed contexts, where such imagery served both didactic and emotional purposes in ecclesiastical settings.
Technique & Style
The work is executed in oil paint on canvas, measuring 73 cm in height by 59 cm in width. It belongs to the religious genre and depicts the arrest of Jesus, reflecting the stylistic characteristics of early 18th-century Dutch religious painting.
History & Provenance
The arrest of Christ is an oil painting on canvas created in 1718 by Arent de Gelder. The work measures 73 cm in height and 59 cm in width and depicts the biblical scene of Jesus being apprehended. It belongs to the religious art genre and was produced during the late Baroque period. The painting has been part of the Rijksmuseum's collection since its acquisition, remaining on display in Amsterdam.
Overview
The Arrest of Christ is a painting executed in oil paint by Arent de Gelder in 1718. It is a product of the Dutch Golden Age and is now part of the Rijksmuseum's collection.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Aert de Gelder (Dutch:; October 26, 1645 – August 27, 1727) was a Dutch painter, the only Dutch artist to paint in the tradition of Rembrandt's late style into the 18th century.
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