Judas (Oberammergau) before 1931

Etienne Bosch made this etching, “Judas (Oberammergau),” at an unknown date using brown ink on paper. Notice the density of fine lines which define the figure of Judas, giving the figure a palpable weight. The artist’s choice to encircle Judas in shadow lends him a brooding presence that dominates the composition. The lines here function almost as a semiotic system, communicating the inner turmoil of Judas through visual form. The figure is set against a blurred background, drawing emphasis to the character's troubled visage. The building behind seems to act as a signifier for the societal structures Judas defies, situating him as an outsider. Consider how Bosch uses line and shadow not just aesthetically but as a part of a larger narrative discourse. By destabilizing the traditional, idealized depiction, Bosch invites us to question and re-interpret Judas's role and motivations.