This dramatic relief is part of a great choir screen from the French Cathedral of Amiens. A choir screen is the structure that separates lay people in the nave from the clergy in the choir. In great Gothic cathedrals, choir screens were often decorated with elaborate sculptural reliefs.

This one represents the tumultuous moment before Christ’s death. In the center, we see Judas, his back turned from us as he leans in to kiss Christ in his infamous act of betrayal. On the far right, Roman soldiers prepare to arrest Christ. If you bend over and peek beneath the hem of the soldier on the far right, you can see passages of the bright colors that once covered the entire relief. On the far left is St. Peter, with his arm raised, withdrawing a sword that he just used to sever the ear of Malchus, the figure seated beneath him. Walk around to the left of the sculpture and find Christ’s hand as he reattaches Malchus’ ear. Amid the aggression and brutality of this charged scene, a powerful act of healing and compassion takes place.

Press the green PLAY button to hear Charles Little describe a fascinating discovery made about this work.