The Flagellation of St Engracia 1477

Editor: Here we have Bartolomé Bermejo’s oil painting, “The Flagellation of Saint Engracia,” created in 1477. The stark realism and raw emotion are quite intense, particularly the contrast between the rich fabrics of the onlookers and the exposed flesh of Saint Engracia. What's your interpretation of this work, particularly concerning the materials used? Curator: Looking at the materiality is crucial. Consider the oil paint itself – a relatively new medium at the time, allowing for Bermejo's incredible detail. Note the meticulous rendering of fabrics, jewels, and the tiled floor; their labor-intensive creation signified wealth and power, underscoring the social hierarchy at play. How does the deliberate rendering of material wealth and the saint's near nudity play into our understanding of power, both temporal and spiritual? Editor: It's striking how the sumptuous details emphasize the power imbalance. But the realistic portrayal of the saint's suffering also seems very intentional; almost defiant against this materialism? Curator: Exactly. Bermejo, through his skilled manipulation of oil paint, draws attention to both the opulent materiality surrounding the event and the raw, physical cost of faith. Where does that "deiance," as you call it, manifest visually for you? Is it her posture, her exposed skin, the expression on her face perhaps? Think about the act of painting itself – layering pigments, glazing, the physical labor – and how this parallels the story of St. Engracia's endurance. Editor: I see what you mean. The act of creating this beautiful object involved painstaking effort, which reflects, in a way, Saint Engracia's own suffering and dedication. Looking closely at the process and materiality reveals deeper layers of meaning. Curator: Indeed. And by focusing on process and materiality, we gain insight into the social and religious contexts that shaped both the artwork and the world it depicts. What was initially observed only on the figures turns into a realization that the artist labor is important. Editor: That’s given me a new perspective, I hadn’t considered the artist’s labour in my reading. Thank you!