The Flagellation 16th-17th century

Curator: This is Hieronymus Wierix’s engraving, "The Flagellation." Wierix, born in 1553, was a prominent printmaker in Antwerp. Look at the detail! Editor: It’s incredibly stark. The composition emphasizes the brutality of the scene, with the figures looming over Christ. The starkness of the black and white only intensifies that feeling. Curator: Wierix was known for the meticulous detail in his engravings, using the burin to create incredibly fine lines. This technique allowed for a mass production of devotional images during the Counter-Reformation. Editor: These prints were vital tools. They bring the Church's message directly into homes, shaping beliefs, and even fueling the era's religious conflicts. What a powerful intersection of craft, commerce, and ideology. Curator: Exactly. The print allows for the widespread dissemination of this image, making it accessible to a broad audience and reinforcing the Church's narrative. Editor: It really makes you think about how images shape not just devotion, but power. This piece serves as a reminder of the potent and often complicated relationship between art, faith, and control.