...alors, il s'approcha d'elle: Parody of van Dyck's Betrayal of Christ 1832

This is an anonymous parody of van Dyck's "Betrayal of Christ," printed in the French journal "La Caricature". The image reimagines a biblical scene, but in the context of 19th-century French society. The artist uses satire to critique the political climate, likely focusing on the betrayal or hypocrisy of those in power. Gender dynamics are also at play here, with the central female figure, the ‘daughter of the sky,’ being betrayed, mirroring the vulnerability and exploitation women often faced in societal power structures. The figures surrounding her, with their exaggerated features, and the surrounding architecture of what appears to be Paris, underscores the emotional weight of betrayal within a specific cultural context. The parody transforms a religious scene into a commentary on contemporary social and political issues, reflecting anxieties around power, gender, and betrayal.