The Kiss of Judas

Mestre de Retascón's The Kiss of Judas (1417) demonstrates the vitality of fifteenth-century European painting in the early fifteenth century, a transformative period in European art. Mestre de Retascón approaches the subject with distinctive artistic vision, producing a work of both technical accomplishment and expressive power. The early 1400s witnessed a flourishing of artistic workshops across Europe, from the courts of Burgundy to the guild-halls of Florence, all contributing to the transformation of painting.

Tempera technique, reflecting earlier traditions, the work demonstrates Mestre de Retascón's skilled technique and careful observation. The composition is carefully structured to balance visual elements, while the handling of light and color creates atmospheric coherence across the picture surface.