Flagellation of Christ 

This is Hans Heinrich Wägmann’s drawing of "Flagellation of Christ," a subject well-worn by the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Wägmann, born in Zurich, was working during a time of religious and political upheaval. This work invites us to consider the intersections of power, religion, and the human body. The scene depicts Christ surrounded by tormentors, their exaggerated gestures and expressions heightening the emotional intensity. Wägmann seems to emphasize the spectacle of violence. The theatrical composition places the viewer in the position of witness. Consider how the artist uses the body of Christ as a site of suffering and redemption. Is this a depiction of divine sacrifice, or a commentary on human cruelty? How do you react to the emotional charge of this image? This drawing reflects the period's religious fervor and the increasing focus on personal piety and empathy with Christ's suffering.