Johann Conrad Seekatz (1719–1768) Lot n° 31

The Judas kiss 19 × 13 cm Oil on panel Christ before the high priest Caiaphas 19 × 13 cm Oil on panel The two small pictures show scenes from the Passion of Christ, which follow each other in Matthew, the arrest of Jesus and Jesus before the high priest Caiaphas. Both pictures are painted with virtuoso sketchiness, lively brushwork and a differentiated tonally bound colour scheme. Another version of the composition with Jesus in front of Caiaphas exists, together with a picture of the crucifixion (28.5 × 20 cm). The oil sketches could be related to drafts for a planned, large-format Passion series. The night scene of the capture focuses on Judas' kiss (Mt 26, 47-56). Jesus stands defenceless with open arms and lets Judas kiss him. It is the signal to the soldiers to arrest. The painter aptly characterised the mendacity of the kiss through Judas' affected gestures. In the front left, Peter cuts off Malchus' ear with the sword. The torch that illuminates the scene is covered by the excited silhouette of the soldier in the front right. The torchlight shines brightly on Jesus and Judas, while Peter and Malchus are only touched by the light. The night also plays a decisive role in the presentation of Jesus to the high priest Caiaphas (Mt 26, 57-65). The hall is only lit by a six-candle chandelier. The soldiers lead Jesus before the high priest, who stands in front of his throne under a blue canopy and begins to question Jesus. He wears the priestly breastplate, which is part of the high priest's vestments, on his chest. A member of the high council sits in the front left in the dark, and extends his arms accusingly and indignantly towards Jesus.