Who painted Flagellation?

Flagellation was painted by Jan Cossiers in 1650.

Where can I see Flagellation?

Flagellation is held by Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

What movement is Flagellation?

Flagellation is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Can I buy a print of Flagellation?

Museum-quality prints of Flagellation are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Flagellation

Jan Cossiers , 1650

Flagellation is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Jan Cossiers. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

About this work

Overview

Jan Cossiers, an Antwerp‑born painter active in the mid‑17th century, produced the oil painting *Flagellation* around 1650. Executed in the Flemish Baroque idiom, the work portrays a moment from the Passion of Christ, focusing on the physical torment of the scourging. It belongs to the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp.

Subject & Meaning

A second figure, brandishing a lash, displays an angry, contorted expression, while a third onlooker watches with a tense, uneasy gaze.

The composition centers on three figures within a darkened setting. A nude man, turned away, bears a cloth around his waist and is the apparent victim of the whipping. A second figure, brandishing a lash, displays an angry, contorted expression, while a third onlooker watches with a tense, uneasy gaze. The scene emphasizes the brutality of Christ’s suffering and invites contemplation of sacrifice.

Technique & Style

Cossiers employs strong chiaroscuro, contrasting deep shadows with sharply illuminated areas to model the bodies. The light falling on the nude figure’s back accentuates muscular definition, creating a three‑dimensional effect. His handling of color, noted for originality, adds subtle tonal variations that enhance the emotional intensity typical of Flemish Baroque religious works.

History & Provenance

By the time of this painting’s creation, Cossiers had already secured a reputation as a leading Antwerp artist, recognized for his skill in both painting and drawing. *Flagellation* entered the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp’s holdings, where it remains part of the museum’s permanent collection, representing the artist’s later religious phase.

Context

The work reflects the Counter‑Reformation climate of mid‑17th‑century Flanders, when artists were encouraged to produce vivid, affective depictions of biblical events. Cossiers’ focus on dramatic narrative and physical realism aligns with contemporary expectations for devotional imagery that could inspire piety through visceral representation.