Artwork
The Flagellation of Christ
The Flagellation of Christ is an oil painting by the High Renaissance artist Carlo Maratta. It dates from 1675 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
About this work
Overview
The Flagellation of Christ is a late 17th-century oil painting by Carlo Maratta, a prominent Italian artist known for his classicizing style.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the biblical scene of Jesus Christ's scourging, showing Christ tied to a pillar and being whipped by a figure in a red cloak. Christ's calm demeanor contrasts with the tense atmosphere of the scene.
Technique & Style
Maratta's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that exploits contrasts between light and dark, creates a sense of drama and highlights the figures' faces and arms. The strong contrast between the red cloak and the pale skin and stone surroundings adds to the tension.
History & Provenance
Created around 1675, the painting is now held in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. It reflects Maratta's work for prominent Roman patrons, including popes, and his position within the Italian Late Baroque context.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Carlo Maratta or Maratti (18 May 1625 – 15 December 1713) was an Italian Baroque painter and draughtsman, active principally in Rome where he was the leading painter in the second half of the 17th century.
