The Betrayal of Judas 1834

Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky made this artwork, The Betrayal of Judas, as an etching measuring 41 by 56 cm. Consider the role of religious imagery in 19th century Russia. The Orthodox Church, with its rich tradition of icon painting, was a major cultural institution. But religious themes were also common in secular art. Artists would depict Biblical scenes to explore moral and philosophical questions. The image is full of drama and emotion. See how Aivazovsky uses light and shadow to create a sense of tension and foreboding? The dark, looming figures of Judas and the soldiers contrast with the ethereal glow of the moon, which symbolically illuminates the scene, giving it a kind of moral weight. To truly understand this work, we need to turn to historical and theological resources to fully appreciate the significance of this artwork.