
In his remorse after his treachery, Judas Iscariot
returned to the priests the thirty pieces of silver for
which he had betrayed Jesus, and committed suicide.
(Matthew XXVII: 3-5)
This supplementary scene to
the Passion was executed by Jean Colombe; the
magnificent capital letters and marginal foliage were
done at the time of the Duc de Berry.
Strangled by the noose around his neck, Judas dies
with his features contorted in a hideous grimace. His
cloak lies beneath him. On the hill at the left, we see
the outer buildings of Jerusalem.
Several verses of
the violent imprecatory Psalm CVIII, which follows
this illustration, are applicable to Judas: "They have
spoken against me with deceitful tongues; and they
have compassed me about with words of hatred; and
have fought against me without cause. Instead of
making me a return of love, they detracted me...
And he put on cursing, like a garment: and it went in
like water into his entrails..."
small image (25KB) --- large image (231KB) --- Judas hangs himself (large) (173KB) --- Initial letter (large) (202KB)