Who painted The Flagellation?

The Flagellation was painted by Jacques Callot in 1624.

Where can I see The Flagellation?

The Flagellation is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Flagellation?

The Flagellation is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

The Flagellation

Jacques Callot , 1624

The Flagellation is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1624 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1624, *The Flagellation* is an etching on laid paper by Jacques Callot, a prominent French printmaker from the Duchy of Lorraine. The work exemplifies Callot’s prolific output, which exceeds fourteen hundred prints covering a range of subjects from daily life to religious and military themes.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a somber interior where a group of robed figures gathers around a central act of punishment: one individual is being scourged by another. Additional onlookers hold sticks or weapons, suggesting an atmosphere of authority and coercion. The scene’s muted lighting and obscured faces heighten its ambiguous, perhaps moral, narrative.

Technique & Style

Callot employs precise, incisive lines to convey motion and tension, while the rough texture of the laid paper adds a tactile quality. A narrow window admits a stark beam of light, creating deep shadows that emphasize the stone walls and floor. The sharp chiaroscuro and meticulous detailing are characteristic of Callot’s baroque etching practice.

History & Provenance

The print belongs to Callot’s early mature period, a time when he was establishing his reputation across Europe. Though specific ownership records are scarce, the work has circulated among collections of baroque prints and is frequently cited in studies of 17th‑century French graphic art.

Context

*The Flagellation* reflects the broader baroque interest in dramatic, emotionally charged scenes and the use of printmaking to disseminate complex narratives. Callot’s attention to architectural detail and crowd dynamics aligns with contemporary trends in both painting and engraving, where artists sought to capture theatrical intensity on a small scale.