The Flagellation 

The Limbourg brothers rendered this illumination of the Flagellation of Christ with watercolor on vellum. Here, the brutal flagellation of Christ is juxtaposed with classical nudes on the pillars, images of pagan antiquity. These figures, reminiscent of ancient statues, are striking in their contrast to the religious scene. This juxtaposition is not merely decorative; it speaks to a deeper tension between the classical world and the Christian faith. This symbol echoes in various forms across centuries. In ancient Rome, the nude figure represented ideal human form, a celebration of physicality and reason. Yet, here, in a Christian context, these nudes seem to bear witness to a scene of intense suffering. The Limbourg brothers, perhaps unconsciously, tapped into a collective memory, a historical narrative where pagan ideals meet Christian realities. This emotional charge, carried through the image, resonates even today, inviting us to reflect on the complex interplay between cultures.