(Richmond, Virginia, 1838 -1930)

Judas, signed on base "Edward V. Valentine/Richmond, VA." and titled, Gorham Foundry stamp "Gorham Co. Founders", patinated bronze, 21-1/2 in. x 6 x 7-1/2 in.

Curiously, Judas is represented here naked, the artist's portrayal of Judas being stripped of his standing and the subject of shame. His fist is clenched next to his heart, despair on his face, and moments before throwing the thirty pieces of silver into the Temple. It references Matthew 27: 5-10:

"Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor.

When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. ?I have sinned,? he said, ?for I have betrayed innocent blood.? ?What is that to us?? they replied. ?That?s your responsibility.? So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. The chief priests picked up the coins and said, ?It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.? So they decided to use the money to buy the potter?s field as a burial place for foreigners. That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: ?They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, and they used them to buy the potter?s field, as the Lord commanded me."

Provenance: Private Collection

gold to brown patina, some abrasions, indentation in proper left arm