The Betrayal of Christ by Jacob Jordaens

Jacob Jordaens's *The Betrayal of Christ* (1657) is a dramatic oil painting from the Flemish Baroque. While it depicts a pivotal religious moment, Jordaens's patrons were primarily wealthy merchants and local churches, not royalty. The scene captures the tumultuous apprehension of Christ. Look at the agitated faces in the crowd on the left, showing a range of reactions from fear to anger. The ornate soldier's helmet on the right suggests the power of the arresting forces. The man in the red shirt, likely Christ, is centrally positioned. His rough face and the determined grip of the elderly man holding him emphasize the physical struggle of the arrest. Jordaens's work often served these local congregations, unlike his contemporaries who sought royal patronage. This painting is now at The Cleveland Museum of Art.