Christ is Stripped of His Garments, plate ten from Stations of the Cross c. 1748 - 1749

Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo created this etching, *Christ is Stripped of His Garments*, as part of his *Stations of the Cross* series. Tiepolo, working in 18th-century Venice, was deeply influenced by the theatricality of his surroundings, often reflecting the opera and Commedia dell’arte in his art. In this print, the drama unfolds as Christ is prepared for crucifixion. The act of stripping Christ can be seen as a moment of profound humiliation, laying bare not just his physical body, but also his divine identity. Consider the emotional vulnerability and the loss of dignity that such exposure implies. The figures surrounding Christ represent a spectrum of reactions, from the callousness of the executioners to the silent suffering of onlookers. Tiepolo invites us to reflect on the psychological dimensions of power, submission, and empathy. While the imagery reinforces traditional religious narratives, it’s Tiepolo’s emotional intensity which asks us to consider our own place in the story.