Taking of Christ 1440 - 1450

This is a 15th-century alabaster relief of the Taking of Christ, made by the School of Nottingham. The composition is immediately striking for its spatial arrangement, with figures densely packed into the foreground, set against a gilded, textured background. The artist employs a shallow depth of field, pushing the narrative action towards the viewer. Christ is centrally positioned, yet surrounded by a flurry of contorted figures. Notice the use of line in the drapery, creating a dynamic sense of movement. The carving of the faces shows an interest in the grotesque, deviating from classical ideals of beauty. The relief plays with ideas of perspective and narrative compression, typical of late medieval art. Consider how the composition might engage with contemporary theological ideas about sin, judgement, and salvation. The use of alabaster is significant. Its smooth, translucent quality gives the figures an ethereal glow, enhancing their spiritual presence. This tactile quality invites a close reading of the work's material presence.