The Flagellation 1587 - 1592

Jacopo Tintoretto made this compelling oil painting on canvas, "The Flagellation," sometime in the late 16th century. Oil paint, made from ground pigments mixed with linseed or walnut oil, gives the surface depth and luminosity. The deep, rich colors draw us into this dramatic moment. The way that Tintoretto layered the paint, thickly in some areas and thinly in others, adds a tangible quality to the scene. This technique, mastered by Venetian painters, was crucial to the commercial success of painters who produced many of the devotional images that met the demands of both religious institutions and private patrons. The social context of the time, with its religious fervor and economic realities, shaped the artist's approach, resulting in a work that transcends mere representation, inviting us to contemplate the human condition and the complex interplay of belief, labor, and commerce.