Artwork
Flagellation
Flagellation is a tempera painting by the Byzantine icon painting artist Ugolino di Nerio. It dates from 1325 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
Flagellation is a tempera painting created by Ugolino di Nerio in 1325. It depicts a somber religious scene within a simple, dimly lit setting, characterized by flat colors and geometric forms.
Subject & Meaning
The painting illustrates the Flagellation of Jesus Christ, set against green walls with Christ barefoot and bound to a pillar, clad in a white loincloth. Two figures, one in red and the other in brown, stand poised with sticks, conveying tension. Christ's subdued posture, with head bowed, emphasizes the solemnity of the moment.
Technique & Style
Ugolino di Nerio employed tempera to achieve durable, flat colors. The composition relies on simple shapes, maintaining focus on the emotional weight of the scene. The style aligns with the Byzantine iconography tradition, reflecting the artist's adherence to established religious art forms.
History & Provenance
Created in 1325, Flagellation is attributed to Ugolino di Nerio, a Sienese painter active in both Siena and Florence. The work is now part of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin's collection. Ugolino, influenced by Duccio di Buoninsegna, contributed to the dissemination of Sienese painting styles in Florence through commissions in major basilicas like Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce.
Context
Flagellation exemplifies the Byzantine influence on early 14th-century Italian religious art. Its simplicity and emphasis on the narrative's emotional core reflect the artistic preferences of the time, prioritizing devotion over realism.
Legacy
While specific lasting impacts of *Flagellation* on subsequent art movements are not prominently documented, it remains a representative work of Ugolino di Nerio's contribution to the evolution of Sienese painting in Florence during the early 14th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ugolino di Nerio (1280? – 1349) was an Italian painter active in his native city of Siena and in Florence between the years 1317 and 1327. He was a follower of Duccio di Buoninsegna, from whose Maestà some of his…
