Chris Moffatt
Professor Char Miller
Government 490: Technology of Money
Short Paper #3
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was an Italian artist who lived from1571 to 1610. In class we discussed his famous painting, “The Calling of Saint Matthew,” which he painted in 1600. Two years later Caravaggio painted the, “Taking of Christ.”
This painting clearly depicts the moment where Jesus is being captured by the Roman soldiers, betrayed by one of his twelve apostles, Judas. Judas was bribed by a Roman high priest for thirty pieces of silver. Judas identifies Jesus to the capturing soldiers by kissing him on the cheek. The painting shows the upper bodies or heads of seven men. Just left of center there is a man that is clearly meant to be Jesus being kissed on the cheek by Judas. To the left of Jesus appears to be another apostle running away from the three armed Roman soldiers. The three soldiers are right behind Judas and are about to take Jesus into custody. While discussing “The Calling of Saint Matthew,” in class we established that Caravaggio had a fascination with implementing self portraits into his paintings, almost like a 17th century Italian version of “Where’s Waldo.” On the far right, behind the two soldiers in the back there is a man that resembles this recurring theme where Caravaggio’s character never has a clear look at the action, as if to say he does not see, believe or understand the Christian religion.
The focal point of the painting is the actual act of Judas kissing Jesus on the cheek, Jesus is the only one facing toward the audience. Their faces are also the brightest colors in the painting as the light shines off their faces. There are two interesting contrasts between Jesus and the other characters. Where the third disciple is fleeing in terror and arms flailing, Jesus is composed, almost apathetic, accepting of his immediate fate. Where the Roman soldiers are approaching with a violent onslaught equipped with armor ready for a brawl, Jesus’ pose is as submissive as possible, gently leaning back with his hands softly folded in front. Jesus’ facial expression does not seem mad or combative, just appears to be sad, as if the human in him realizes that this is the beginning of the end while the divine side realizes that his capture is necessary.
Judas, one of Jesus’ twelve apostles who were the most devoted of his disciples, sold his capture for thirty pieces of silver. This speaks to the notion that money corrupts the soul. An apostle of Jesus, whom was believed to be the son of God, allowed his love of money to overpower is love of God. There are conflicting accounts about how Judas died, but the most popular story contends that he became too guilty about sending Jesus to his death that he committed suicide by hanging himself by a tree. “Judas” itself has a connotation of a traitor, the worst kind of betrayal. The story of Judas is a cautionary tale about how much power money can have over a person. Judas was a sellout; he had a price for everything, even the life of his friend and his God’s son. His suicide symbolized the torturous life of a person who loves nothing but money. It is an empty life that tends to lead to a lonely self loathing. “The Taking of Christ” is the depiction of the culminating moment where a soul is literally for sale, where greed for money has rendered nothing sacred.