"Mr. Judas" from The Complete Works of Béranger 1836

This print, “Mr. Judas”, was created by J.J. Grandville, part of a series of illustrations for Béranger’s collected works. The dominant figure here is a man identified as Judas, holding a newspaper, dressed in formal attire, complete with a medal signifying recognition or honor. Judas, of course, is the biblical figure synonymous with betrayal. Note the ironic juxtaposition of the medal and the figure's name. Here, the figure stands apart, hinting at isolation and moral ambiguity. The figure of Judas has evolved through centuries. From medieval morality plays to modern literature, each era reimagines him to reflect contemporary anxieties about treachery and moral corruption. He has become a universal symbol—a potent reminder of the human capacity for deceit. The choice to depict Judas in contemporary clothing brings the historical narrative into the viewer's present. It prompts questions about who embodies Judas in the here and now, and how betrayal manifests in contemporary society. Observe how symbols and archetypes persist, resurfacing across centuries, constantly re-evaluated through the lens of our ever-changing present.