De gevangenneming van Christus 1470 - 1475

This print by the Master of the Amsterdam Cabinet captures the arrest of Christ, rendered with an intriguing interplay of light and shadow through fine, detailed lines. The composition is a dense cluster of figures centered around Christ, creating a sense of chaos and confinement. The artist uses hatching and cross-hatching to define forms and textures, a technique that adds depth to the compact scene. This emphasis on line-work, rather than color, is a key structural element here. The use of linear perspective is minimal, resulting in a compressed space that intensifies the emotional impact. The formal elements of the artwork underscore the dramatic tension of the scene. The contrast between the controlled lines and the disorderly arrangement of figures creates a dynamic visual experience. It suggests a world in which moral and physical orders are destabilized. What does it tell us about the artist's perception of the world? And how might this depiction challenge fixed meanings associated with religious events?