The Flagellation of Christ, from "The Passion of Christ"

Art Historical Context

Behold *The Flagellation of Christ a poignant etching from the mid-17th century seriesThe Passion of Christ*, through the collaborative talents of Dutch master engraver Hendrick Goltzius and French artists Nicolas Cochin and Jean Leblond. Measuring a compact 5 3/4 x 3 7/8 inches, this intimate print captures the biblical scene of Christ's scourging a pivotal moment in the Passion narrative emphasizing suffering and redemption. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, it reflects the era's Baroque devotion to dramatic religious imagery amid the Counter-Reformation. Etching, the medium here, allowed for exquisite detail and tonal depth, as acid etched intricate lines into a metal plate, enabling reproductions of profound emotional intensity. Goltzius, renowned for his Mannerist flair with swelling lines and muscular forms, likely influenced the dynamic composition, while Cochin and Leblond's contributions added refined French precision. Such prints were vital for disseminating sacred stories to the faithful, bridging elite art with popular devotion. This work invites reflection on human cruelty and divine endurance, its small scale belying a monumental spiritual impact—perfect for contemplation in a quiet gallery corner. (198 words)

About the Artist

Hendrick Goltzius|Nicolas Cochin|Jean I Leblond · 1558–1617

Hendrick Goltzius (1558–1617) was the most celebrated engraver of the Northern Renaissance and a pivotal figure in Dutch Mannerism. Born near the German-Dutch border, Goltzius transformed printmaking into a virtuoso art form through his revolutionary 'swelling line' technique, where the burin was manipulated to create lines of varying thickness that produced unprecedented tonal effects and three-d...