Gerard van Honthorst 1590 – 1656

Christ before the High Priest

oil on canvas (272 × 183 cm) — c. 1617 The National Gallery, London

Gerard van Honthorst biography

This work is linked to Mark 14:53

After his arrest, Jesus is brought before a Jewish court, the Sanhedrin, and charged with blasphemy on the basis of false testimonials.

The candle on the table is the only light source. The light falls on the main characters, Jesus and the high priest (probably Caiaphas), and makes the bystanders secondary characters.

Van Honthorst painted this large canvas when he lived and worked in Rome. It was probably commissioned by the Marquis Vincenzo Giustiniani; it was hung in his palace.

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