The Flagellation of Christ (detail) 1465

"The Flagellation of Christ" was painted by Piero della Francesca in the 15th century. It's a panel painting that now resides in Urbino, Italy. This work exemplifies the artist's mastery of perspective and geometry. But beyond its technical prowess, the painting offers a stark meditation on power, justice, and spectatorship. We see Christ presented as a figure of abjection. His suffering is juxtaposed against the detached contemplation of the figures in the foreground. The men seem caught in their own world, perhaps discussing politics or theology. This painting invites us to reflect on the dynamics of looking and witnessing. Who has the power to look, and who is made to be seen? The artist subtly critiques the social structures that allow for indifference to suffering. Are we implicated in the act of witnessing? The painting resonates with the complexities of identity and marginalization. The figures serve as emblems of timeless questions about morality, authority, and human dignity.