The Betrayal of Christ, from "The Passion of Christ" 1610 - 1700

This is The Betrayal of Christ, a print made by Nicolas Cochin in the 17th century. It's an etching, meaning that Cochin painstakingly drew lines into a metal plate covered with wax, then bathed the plate in acid, which ate away at the exposed metal. The plate was then inked and used to make multiple impressions. Look closely at the image. The stark contrast and the fineness of the lines give the scene drama, emphasizing the tension of the moment. This printmaking technique, with its capacity for reproducibility, democratized art in a way. It made religious narratives like this accessible to a wider audience. Consider the labor involved. Cochin, as a skilled artisan, would have had to master the technical aspects of etching. The print also reflects wider issues of religious and political power, speaking to the social context in which it was made. Ultimately, the artistic, technical, and social dimensions of this etching are linked. By attending to them all, we can develop a richer understanding of the work.