Artwork

The Taking of Christ

The Taking of Christ, by Francisco de Osona, oil, 1500
The Taking of Christ, by Francisco de Osona, oil, 1500

The Taking of Christ is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Francisco de Osona. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Soldiers are shown in body armor, helmets, shields, swords, spears and sabers, elements that mark the scene as a martial encounter.

The work portrays the biblical moment of Christ’s arrest, focusing on the human agents who seize him. Soldiers are shown in body armor, helmets, shields, swords, spears and sabers, elements that mark the scene as a martial encounter. Their presence highlights the violent confrontation and the fulfillment of prophetic destiny, while the surrounding religious context frames the event as both betrayal and sacrificial act. The painting thus merges narrative detail with symbolic emphasis on the physicality of the capture.

Technique & Style

The Taking of Christ is executed in oil paint on a wooden panel support. Created around 1500, the work measures 126 cm in height and 84 cm in width. As a religious painting, its formal composition focuses on the arrest of Jesus, populated by figures clad in body armor and wielding weapons such as swords, spears, sabers, and shields alongside combat helmets. The medium and support are consistent with early 16th-century panel painting practices.

History & Provenance

The Taking of Christ is an oil‑on‑panel painting measuring 126 cm by 84 cm, created in 1500 by Francisco de Osona. It belongs to the religious genre and portrays the arrest of Jesus. The work is classified as a painting and has been part of the Museo del Prado collection since its execution, currently exhibited at the museum in Madrid.

Its material consists of oil paint applied to a wooden panel, and it is documented with an inception date of 1500‑00‑00.

The Taking of Christ is housed in the Museo del Prado in Madrid, where it belongs to the museum's collection of European paintings. The work is listed in the Prado's catalogue as part of the institution's holdings, though a specific accession or inventory number is not disclosed in the available records. It has been included in the museum's permanent display of Spanish Renaissance art, allowing visitors to view the piece alongside other works from the same period.

Overview

Completed in 1500 by the Spanish Renaissance painter Francisco de Osona, The Taking of Christ is an oil painting depicting a significant moment from Christian scripture. The artwork captures a scene of confrontation and arrest, featuring multiple figures in a detailed setting. This historical religious piece is part of the collection at the Museo del Prado in Madrid.

The Baptism of Christ
The Baptism of Christ

Artist & collection

Artist

Francisco de Osona

Francisco de Osona, also Francisco de Osona the Younger, (c.1465–c.1514) was a Spanish Renaissance painter.

Museo del Prado

Museum

Museo del Prado

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Museo del Prado open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted The Taking of Christ?

The Taking of Christ was painted by Francisco de Osona in 1500-01-01.

Where can I see The Taking of Christ?

The Taking of Christ is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is The Taking of Christ?

The Taking of Christ is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Can I buy a print of The Taking of Christ?

Museum-quality prints of The Taking of Christ are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.