The Betrayal and Capture of Christ

The Betrayal and Capture of Christ

Martin Schongauer

1480

ink

From the collection of Städel Museum

About this work

This print shows a chaotic scene with a group of men surrounding a central figure. One man clutches a staff while another holds a spear, and a third leans on a shield. The central figure wears a loose robe and looks upward, as if caught in the moment. Around them, others grab at him, their faces twisted with tension. The background is filled with swirling lines and a bare tree, adding to the sense of movement. Notice how the artist used fine lines to create shadows and texture—even the fabric looks real. This kind of detail was new in prints at the time. Look up engraving to see how artists like this made prints with metal plates.

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