Original woodcut with thread margins and with Dürer's monogram signature, lower left. An impression from the series, "The Large Passion" with Latin text on the verso. In excellent condition.

Image size: 15 5/8" x 11 1/8"
Catalogue reference: Strauss 149; Bartsch 7; Meder 116

In contrast to Dürer’s earlier depictions of this scene, Christ here is already bound and being dragged away by Roman soldiers. Directly to the left of Christ’s head is Judas, barely withdrawn from Christ after identifying the Savior by his kiss. Below and to the right of the scene is Peter fighting Malchus, presumably moments before chopping of Malchus’ ear with his sword. In the background Dürer makes reference to a scene described in the book of Mark, chapter xiv, verses 51-52: “And there followed him a certain young man, wearing a linen cloth on his naked body. And as they laid hold of him, he fled from them naked, leaving the linen cloth behind him.” This depiction from the book of Mark was popular in Franconian paintings of the fifteenth century.