The Betrayal of Judas 1311

Duccio painted *The Betrayal of Judas* with tempera on a wooden panel. Tempera is a traditional painting medium, where pigments are bound with egg yolk. The smooth, luminous quality of tempera allows for fine details, and it dries quickly, demanding precision. This highlights the skill required to blend colors and create subtle gradations, crucial for conveying the weight of the cloaks. Here, the act of betrayal is not just a moment of human failure but a transaction, rendered in the precious medium of tempera, which was costly and laborious to produce. By focusing on the material, making, and social context of this painting, we can fully appreciate the depth of its meaning, transcending traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.