Judas Iskariot hangt zich op 1611

Willem van Swanenburg created this print, "Judas Iscariot Hangs Himself", around 1617. It presents a pivotal and troubling moment from Christian history. The image depicts Judas in the throes of despair, rope in hand, preparing to take his own life after betraying Jesus. Swanenburg situates Judas within a landscape that amplifies his inner turmoil. The barren tree under which he sits and the figure hanging from another tree in the background serve as stark reminders of his fate. Note the bag of coins spilled at his feet, a symbol of his treachery. As a story deeply embedded in Western culture, this representation invites reflection on themes of guilt, redemption, and the weight of one's actions. It is a reminder of how narratives shape our understanding of morality, sin, and the human condition. The print serves as a potent meditation on the consequences of betrayal.