WILLIAM-ADOLPHE BOUGUEREAU - THE FLAGELLATION OF JESUS CHRIST, 1880

WILLIAM-ADOLPHE BOUGUEREAU - THE FLAGELLATION OF JESUS CHRIST, 1880

The painting depicts the compelling agony and brutal pain from the Passion of Christ. Jesus Christ is the focal point of the composition. He is bound to a column, with his hands tied above his head. His feet are limp and droop to the ground.

Two Roman soldiers are engaged in the act of flogging and their whipping ropes in mid-swing, ready to strike. The third sits in the foreground, fastening birch branches to fashion, yet another instrument of torture. The bystanders include indignant perpetrators, curious spectators, and indifferent executioners. Christ raises his eyes to His Father, He offers Himself as a ransom for the world

Bouguereau was known for his smooth, almost invisible brushstrokes, which gave his paintings a polished, almost photographic finish. This technique minimized the texture of the paint itself, allowing the viewer's focus to be on the realism of the scene rather than the medium. Bouguereau's portrayal of human anatomy was incredibly precise, reflecting his deep study of the human form evident in Jesus's body rendering

Including onlookers adds to the historical authenticity of the scene. During the time of Jesus, such events were often watched by crowds, including soldiers, local officials, and common people. By depicting this, Bouguereau aims for historical accuracy while also humanizing the narrative, showing how such brutal acts were part of daily life