Eight Commandment

Eight Commandment

Private commission of the 8th commandment: “Thou shalt not steal.” (Ex. 20:15)

Acrylic on paper with gold leaf gilding. Size: 29,7 x 36,6 cm.

I decided to interpret this commandment through the story of Judas Iscariot. John 12:1—12 has him reproaching Mary of Bethany for "wasting" an expensive oil on the anointment of Christ's feet. Judas argument was that this oil could be sold and the money be given to the poor, but "This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein." as John tells us in his gospel. 

Motivated by greed he betrayed his master for 30 pieces of silver, felt guilty afterwards and tried to return his reward, but all in vain as the deed was done. His conscience gave him no rest and scripture tells us that he went and hung himself.

Private commission of the 8th commandment: “Thou shalt not steal.” (Ex. 20:15)

Acrylic on paper with gold leaf gilding. Size: 29,7 x 36,6 cm.

I decided to interpret this commandment through the story of Judas Iscariot. John 12:1—12 has him reproaching Mary of Bethany for "wasting" an expensive oil on the anointment of Christ's feet. Judas argument was that this oil could be sold and the money be given to the poor, but "This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein." as John tells us in his gospel. 

Motivated by greed he betrayed his master for 30 pieces of silver, felt guilty afterwards and tried to return his reward, but all in vain as the deed was done. His conscience gave him no rest and scripture tells us that he went and hung himself.