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The Taking of Christ
about 1620
Medium/Technique
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
148 x 194.3 cm (58 1/4 x 76 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Juliana Cheney Edwards Collection
Accession Number1979.154
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsPaintings
In this dramatic close-up view of the Arrest of Christ, each person is shown reacting in the moment after Judas's kiss revealed Christ to the soldiers. Vivid gestures and expressions tell the story: the soldiers seize Christ, St. Peter raises his knife to smite off the ear of an enemy, others recoil in horror. Light from different sources highlights hands and faces, intensifying the narrative. This artist, like many throughout Europe, adopted the theatrical style of the Roman/Neapolitan painter Caravaggio.
ProvenancePrivate collection, Switzerland (?) [see note 1]. 1977, Gabinetto delle Stampe; 1977, sold by Gabinetto delle Stampe to Colnaghi, Zurich; 1977, consigned by Colnaghi, Zurich to Colnaghi, London; 1978, sold by Colnaghi to Bruno Meissner, Zurich and probably sold back to Colnaghi; 1979, sold by Colnaghi to the MFA. (Accession Date: March 14, 1979)
NOTES:
[1] According to notes in the curatorial file.
NOTES:
[1] According to notes in the curatorial file.