The remarkable history of Caravaggio's painting The Taking of Christ.
On 16 November 1993, there was talk of a light rail being built to connect the airport to Dublin city centre. It was reported that 15% of Irish primary school students were missing school regularly. Sleepless in Seattle was in Irish cinemas. And, most importantly, a very special event took place in the National Gallery of Ireland: The Taking of Christ (1602) by Caravaggio was unveiled to the public for the first time.
We are grateful to the Jesuit Community, Leeson Street, for placing the painting on indefinite loan to the Gallery, acknowledging the generosity of Dr Marie Lea-Wilson, who had presented the picture to them.
Read on to discover the web of people and circumstances behind the painting.
How did a masterpiece by Caravaggio end up in a Dublin dining room?
Read about the painting's remarkable journey from Rome to Dublin.
The Taking of Christ by Caravaggio
Read about Caravaggio's new visual approach to the biblical story.
Caravaggio 25 Years: Display
In 2018, to mark the twenty-five year anniversary of the unveiling of Caravaggio's painting in Dublin, the Gallery held a series of events; installed a temporary display (14 November 2018–25 February 2019) revealing the remarkable history of the painting; and commissioned a new poem from acclaimed Dublin poet and playwright Stephen James Smith.
