William Blake

Judas Betrays Him

c.1803–5

Image released under Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND (3.0 Unported)

License this image

Not on display
Artist
William Blake 1757–1827
Medium
Ink, graphite and watercolour on paper
Dimensions
Support: 367 x 303 mm
Collection
Tate
Acquisition
Purchased with funds provided by the Patrons of British Art through the Tate Gallery Foundation 1992
Reference
T06606

Display caption

This watercolour illustrates verses from
St Matthew's Gospel. Christ prays for spiritual strength and guidance in the Garden of Gethsemane, knowing that
he will soon be betrayed by one of his
own disciples. Judas arrives with 'a great multitude with swords and staves'
to arrest him. He kisses Christ as a signal that he is the one to be seized. The rest
of the disciples look on in horror.

 

This is one of more than eighty watercolours of biblical subjects which Blake made for his patron, Thomas Butts, between 1800 and 1805.

Gallery label, August 2004

Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? We would like to hear from you.

Explore

You might like

Left Right
William Blake, ‘The Entombment’ c.1805

William Blake The Entombment

c.1805
View by appointment
William Blake, ‘The Crucifixion: ‘Behold Thy Mother’’ c.1805

William Blake The Crucifixion: ‘Behold Thy Mother’

c.1805
William Blake, ‘The Penance of Jane Shore in St Paul’s Church’ c.1793

William Blake The Penance of Jane Shore in St Paul’s Church

c.1793
William Blake, ‘Christ Appearing to the Apostles after the Resurrection’ c.1795

William Blake Christ Appearing to the Apostles after the Resurrection

c.1795
William Blake, ‘The Serpent Attacking Buoso Donati. Verso: A Man with a Transparent Hood (?) over his Head’ 1824–7

William Blake The Serpent Attacking Buoso Donati. Verso: A Man with a Transparent Hood (?) over his Head

1824–7
View by appointment
William Blake, ‘The Hypocrites with Caiaphas. Verso: Sketch of a Stooping Figure’ 1824–7

William Blake The Hypocrites with Caiaphas. Verso: Sketch of a Stooping Figure

1824–7
View by appointment

Thomas Stothard Design for R. Pollard’s ‘The Peerage of Great Britain and Ireland’; Matthew de Johnson Defeating the Earl of Douglas and Taking his Brother the Earl of Ormond Prisoner: Studies of Fighting Men

date not known
View by appointment

After William Blake The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins

date not known
William Blake, ‘Epitome of James Hervey’s ‘Meditations among the Tombs’’ c.1820–5

William Blake Epitome of James Hervey’s ‘Meditations among the Tombs’

c.1820–5
View by appointment

Attributed to Richard Corbould Invasion of Britain by the Romans

date not known
View by appointment
William Blake, ‘Oberon, Titania and Puck with Fairies Dancing’ c.1786

William Blake Oberon, Titania and Puck with Fairies Dancing

c.1786
William Blake, ‘Every Man also Gave him a Piece of Money. Verso: God the Father with Attendant Angels’ c.1821–3

William Blake Every Man also Gave him a Piece of Money. Verso: God the Father with Attendant Angels

c.1821–3
View by appointment

Thomas Stothard Design for R. Pollard’s ‘The Peerage of Great Britain and Ireland’; Matthew de Johnson Defeating the Earl of Douglas and Taking his Brother the Earl of Ormond Prisoner: Studies of Fighting Men, Maidens with Shields, Recumbent Figures

date not known
View by appointment
William Blake, ‘The Blasphemer’ c.1800

William Blake The Blasphemer

c.1800
Joseph Mallord William Turner, ‘Christ Crowned with Thorns, after Titian’ 1802

Joseph Mallord William Turner Christ Crowned with Thorns, after Titian

1802