Not currently on display at the V&A

The Betrayal

Fragment of a Panel
15th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
England (made)

This fragment is the top right corner of a panel representing Jesus's betrayal by Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane. The bearded figure on the left represents Judas while the other four figures, two in armour and two in civilian dress represent the high priest's men and soldiers who came to capture Jesus. There are traces of painted on this relief.

Judas Iscariot identified Jesus to the soldiers with a kiss.


Object details

Categories
Christianity
Religion
Sculpture
SCRAN
Object type
Fragment of a panel
TitleThe Betrayal (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Carved and painted alabaster
Alabaster
Paint
Carving
Painting
Brief description
Alabaster panel (fragment) depicting the Betrayal. English, 15th century.
Physical description
The fragment is the top right corner of a panel of the Betrayal. The bearded figure on the left of the fragment doubtless represents Judas, who on complete panels is shown embracing Christ. The other four figures, two in armour and two civilians, one clean-shaven, carrying a bill, represent the high priest's men and soldiers who came to capture Jesus.

Traces of black remain on the beards and hair of two of the figures. The back of the fragment has one hole holding a wire which appears to be comparatively modern.
Dimensions
  • Height: 19.2cm
  • Width: 13.6cm
From Cheetham, English Medieval Alabasters, 1984.
Style
Medieval
Object history
Purchased in 1894.
Subjects depicted
Armour
Soldiers
Judas
The Betrayal of Christ
Summary
This fragment is the top right corner of a panel representing Jesus's betrayal by Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane. The bearded figure on the left represents Judas while the other four figures, two in armour and two in civilian dress represent the high priest's men and soldiers who came to capture Jesus. There are traces of painted on this relief.

Judas Iscariot identified Jesus to the soldiers with a kiss.
Bibliographic references
  • Cheetham, Francis. English Medieval Alabasters. Oxford: Phaidon-Christie's Limited, 1984. p. 228 (cat. 155), ill. ISBN 0-7148-8014-0
  • List of Objects in the Art Division South Kensington Museum acquired during the Year 1894. Arranged according to the dates of acquisition, with appendix and indices. London: Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1895. pp. 20
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
131-1894

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Record createdOctober 29, 2002
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O68850/the-betrayal-fragment-of-a-unknown/
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