The Betrayal of Christ c. 1485

This print, The Betrayal of Christ, was made in the late fifteenth century by Master IAM of Zwolle. Note the dense crowd surrounding Christ, their faces contorted in anger and violence. Amongst them, Judas embraces Jesus, marking him for the soldiers. The soldiers, clad in armor, represent the brutal force of earthly power. But observe the figure in the background carrying a flag. Flags, standards, and banners have always been symbols of authority, power, and allegiance, representing the legitimacy or divine right to rule. Consider how similar banners appear on ancient Roman battle scenes or medieval tapestries, each adapted and modified by the prevailing culture, signifying a claim to power, or the right to conquest. The emotional intensity in this image, the raw expressions of betrayal and aggression, engage with our collective memory of conflict and our subconscious understanding of power dynamics. The artist reminds us that symbols evolve, but their underlying psychological impact persists.