The Flagellation c. early 1770s

Ubaldo Gandolfi’s pen and brown ink drawing, "The Flagellation," presents us with a scene of violent action set against a classical architectural backdrop. The composition is dynamic; the eye is drawn to the central figure of Christ, who is being whipped. Gandolfi’s use of line is particularly striking. He uses quick, energetic strokes to define the figures and drapery, creating a sense of movement and drama. The architecture, with its solid columns and structured balcony, provides a rigid contrast to the fluid forms of the figures, highlighting the tension between order and chaos. The figures above look on, not necessarily involved in the moment, but complicit with it. This interplay between line, form, and architectural structure creates a visual language that speaks to the philosophical and cultural dichotomies of the 18th century such as reason versus emotion, and power versus submission. Gandolfi's work shows us that art is not just about representation but about engaging with the very structures that shape our understanding of the world.