Christus wird entkleidet und ans Kreuz geschlagen 

Anton Domenico Gabbiani created this ink drawing, Christus wird entkleidet und ans Kreuz geschlagen, sometime before 1726. The sepia ink washes across the cream paper create a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, immediately drawing us into the emotional intensity of the scene. Gabbiani masterfully uses line and form to convey the drama of Christ's preparation for crucifixion. The composition, framed by an arched top, directs our gaze to the central figure of Christ, surrounded by a flurry of activity. Figures twist and turn with dynamic energy, their forms defined by quick, expressive lines. Note how the ladder and cross act as both a literal structure and a symbolic one, emphasizing the impending fate. The sketch-like quality of the drawing invites us to consider the raw, unvarnished emotion of the event. Gabbiani uses these formal elements to create a powerful meditation on faith, suffering, and the human condition. The incompleteness of the sketch reminds us that art is always a work in progress, open to interpretation and reflection.