The Flagellation

The drawing illustrates the biblical scene of Christ's flagellation before crucifixion, incorporating a horse in turmoil, a winged figure overhead, and a separate background scene with a seated woman, suggesting layers of narrative and possibly allegorical depth.

While the specific techniques used in *The Flagellation* are not detailed here, Schmidt's work generally reflects late Baroque and Rococo influences, with northern Italian styles evident in his later compositions, often characterized by dramatic and emotionally charged depictions.

Signed by the artist in 1788, the drawing's provenance and original commission context are not specified, though Schmidt typically created religious works for churches and monasteries in Lower Austria.

Created for a likely religious audience in Lower Austria, *The Flagellation* would have been interpreted through the lens of Catholic devotion and the dramatic storytelling characteristic of late Baroque religious art.

As part of Schmidt's oeuvre, *The Flagellation* contributes to the artist's reputation for dramatic religious drawings, though its specific impact or prominence in his legacy is not highlighted in available information.