The Flagellation of Christ

Cimabue (1240-1302), born as Cenni di Pepi in Florence, was one of the most significant artists belonging to the late 13th century. He played a crucial role in moving away from the Byzantine style toward the beginning of the Italian Renaissance. Though only a few details are known regarding his childhood, he was documented as a painter by 1272. Cimabue's paintings followed the Byzantine style by using gold backgrounds and religious imagery but integrated more realism, emotion, and three-dimensional forms. Some of his notable paintings include the Maestà of Santa Trinita, Crucifix of Santa Croce, frescoes in the Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi, and apse mosaic of St. John the Evangelist in Pisa Cathedral. Cimabue is considered to be the mentor of Giotto. “The Flagellation of Christ” by Cimabue was created on poplar panel using tempera and gold around 1280. The artwork was originally a segment of a small devotional diptych or triptych along with The Virgin and Child Enthroned with Two Angels (currently in National Gallery, London), prior to it being dismantled for the panels to be dispersed. The painting represents a scene from the bible in which Christ is bound to a pole and is being whipped by two executioners, before being taken for his crucifixion. The composition is created in Byzantine style by using the the flattened space and gold background, but Cimabue integrates a more natural human body figure and greater emotions. Christ has a slender, gentle figure with a melancholy expression plastered across his face to highlight his physical suffering, reflecting Cimabue’s progress towards realism and beginning of the Italian Renaissance. The simple architectural background subtly creates depth without straying away from the medival style. The artist has marvellously executed the drama within a small 24.7 x 2o cm panel. In 1950, the painted was purchased by The Frick Collection, New York, making it the most significant work of Cimabue that still survives.