The Betrayal of Christ 1500 - 1550

Valerio Belli made this bronze plaquette of 'The Betrayal of Christ' sometime around 1530. The material is significant. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, desirable for its durability and workability. Belli was celebrated in his time as a master of glyptics, or carving in hard stones. This plaquette is a translation of that sensibility, as it has a crispness of detail normally associated with gems. The design shows the moment when Judas identifies Christ with a kiss, precipitating his arrest. Belli was active during the Renaissance, when printed images began to circulate widely; this sculpture shows the influence of printmaking, which similarly depends on a capacity for crisp lines and repeatable forms. Look closely, and you can see the sharp edges. The bronze was likely cast from a mold, which Belli himself would have carved. The result is a design that could be reproduced, collected, and admired as both a work of art and a devotional object. This straddles the line between a unique artwork and a multiple, prefiguring many later debates about craft and fine art.