Artwork
The Flagellation
The Flagellation is an oil painting by the Early Renaissance artist Alejo Fernández. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Overview
Alejo Fernández, a Spanish painter active at the turn of the 16th century, executed *The Flagellation* circa 1500. The oil on canvas work portrays the biblical episode of Christ’s scourging and is presently part of the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a bound figure, identified as Jesus, restrained to a column while a group of men wield whips and other implements. The arrangement emphasizes the physical suffering and emotional tension inherent in the Passion narrative.
Technique & Style
Rendered in oil, the painting employs a muted palette of earth tones punctuated by blues, creating a somber atmosphere. Fernández’s handling shows early Renaissance influences, with careful modeling of forms and a modest use of perspective to suggest depth, particularly in the receding arch and staircase.
History & Provenance
Although Fernández is better known for his portrait of Christopher Columbus, *The Flagellation* remains one of his few surviving religious pieces. The work entered the Prado’s holdings in the 19th century, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s early Spanish Renaissance collection.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Alejo Fernández (c. 1475 – c. 1545) was a Spanish painter best known for his portrait of Christopher Columbus painted between 1531 and 1536.
