Judas Repentant

painting by Rembrandt

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June 29, 2026

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Rembrandt's painting, Judas Repentant, created around 1628-1629, depicts Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus's Twelve Apostles, notorious for betraying Jesus. The painting is considered a significant work from Rembrandt's early Leiden period, showcasing his developing style with dramatic use of light and shadow.1234

Judas Iscariot was known for his role in Jesus's arrest for 30 pieces of silver and identifying Jesus with a kiss in the Garden of Gethsemane. Traditions vary on Judas's fate, with some accounts stating he repented and hanged himself, while others describe a more gruesome death. Despite his betrayal, some interpretations, like the Gospel of Judas, portray him as a confidant of Jesus. Rembrandt's work captures a moment of repentance, reflecting the complex narrative surrounding this biblical figure.12

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Rembrandt
The Leiden period (1625–31) of Rembrandt
…or 1629 Rembrandt finished the Judas Repentant and, among other works, painted The Artist in His Studio. After amazingly rapid changes in style from 1625 onward, Rembrandt reached a first major peak in his artistic development in the late 1620s.
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…or 1629 Rembrandt finished the Judas Repentant and, among other works, painted The Artist in His Studio. After amazingly rapid changes in style from 1625 onward, Rembrandt reached a first major peak in his artistic development in the late 1620s.
Read More