Christ Stripped of His Garments n.d.

Lorenzo Garbieri created this drawing, "Christ Stripped of His Garments," sometime between the late 16th and mid-17th centuries. The artist was working in a world steeped in religious conflict, as the Catholic Church sought to reaffirm its authority amidst the rise of Protestantism. Here, Christ is a figure of vulnerability, stripped of his dignity before his crucifixion. Garbieri uses the vulnerability of the naked body to convey the message. The tormentors, rendered with stark realism, highlight the brutal power dynamics at play. The choice to focus on this moment of humiliation invites reflection on themes of power, injustice, and the body. Garbieri masterfully captures the emotional weight of this moment. The raw, unflinching portrayal prompts us to confront not only the historical narrative but also the broader implications of persecution and the enduring human capacity for both cruelty and empathy.