A Flagellator of Christ c. 1630s

Alessandro Algardi made this small silver sculpture of “A Flagellator of Christ,” sometime in the first half of the 17th century. Algardi was a key figure in Rome’s art scene, which was heavily influenced by the Catholic Church. His work reflects the cultural and religious values of the time, which was marked by the Counter-Reformation and the artistic style we call the Baroque. The flagellator embodies the ideal of the male nude figure. Yet it is designed to evoke strong emotional reactions, encouraging viewers to contemplate the suffering of Christ, and identify with the flagellator. To understand Algardi’s world better, we can look at the social and religious history of Baroque Rome. This work is a reminder that art does not exist in a vacuum; it reflects the social, cultural, and institutional conditions in which it is made.