Christ after the Flagellation 1665

Bartolomé Estebán Murillo created this poignant oil on canvas, "Christ after the Flagellation," focusing intensely on light, shadow, and form to evoke emotion. The composition directs our gaze from the dark, almost obscured column at the left, across the broken body of Christ, to the ethereal figures of the angels on the right. Murillo's use of tenebrism—strong contrasts between light and dark—not only heightens the drama but also serves to isolate Christ, emphasizing his suffering and vulnerability. The angels, rendered with soft, flowing lines and luminous colors, provide a stark contrast to the more realistic and earth-toned depiction of Christ. This juxtaposition destabilizes the established notions of earthly pain versus heavenly solace. The artist makes use of diagonals to energize the composition. The formal qualities of the painting serve to engage the viewer in a complex interplay of suffering, redemption, and divine intervention, reflective of broader theological discourses in the 17th century.