My favourite painting John Gilhooly

The Taking of Christ by Caravaggio

- John Gilhooly

‘At university, I lived in a Jesuit hall of residence in Dublin. This painting was nearby in a smaller house only for Jesuit priests. It had hung there for more than 60 years and they always thought it was by a Belgian artist. Whenever I’m in Dublin, I see it. It means I’m home—and I always discover something new. I find the light very interesting: the dominant light sets out Jesus in that most awful moment. St John is lit in a particular way: he seems to be running—away or towards something? Then there’s the mirror reflection on the guard's armour. This is the ultimate betrayal and I always thought the polished metal is asking us to reflect on our own lives—perhaps when we've been b