Cuzco School - The Flagellation Of Christ - 19th Century

Cuzco School, Peru – first half of the 19th century
The Flagellation of Christ
Oil on canvas

Dimensions:
84 x 63 with the frame
77 x 56,5

A charming religious painting from the Cuzco School, likely dating to the first half of the 19th century, depicting the Flagellation of Christ.

The composition follows this important theme of Christian iconography while displaying the distinctive visual language of Andean colonial painting: a frontal arrangement, a deliberately naïve and expressive treatment of the figures, and a strong decorative character. Christ stands at the center of the scene, surrounded by figures dressed in richly ornamented costumes, contributing to the particular atmosphere typical of Cuzco paintings, where sacred narratives are expressed with a vivid popular sensibility.

The garments are enhanced with gold highlights, in some areas executed using the estofado technique, a decorative method inherited from the Hispanic tradition. This process consists of applying gold leaf beneath a layer of paint which is then incised or scratched to reveal the gold in decorative patterns, imitating luxurious embroidered fabrics and brocades. These golden accents bring a precious and luminous quality characteristic of Cuzco painting.

The scene also includes charming and unexpected details, such as a small bird visible in the window in the upper left corner, a poetic element that introduces a moment of visual calm within the dramatic subject.

The presence of several richly dressed figures is also characteristic of Andean colonial painting, where biblical scenes are sometimes presented in a visual context inspired by colonial Spanish society.

Finally, the red drapery in the foreground stands out for its decorative quality and adds a strong pictorial presence to the composition.

The painting is presented in a gilded frame with age-related wear and small losses to the gilding, consistent with its age.

Gallery’s note:
A touching and decorative work in which the naïve and expressive style of the Cuzco School makes this representation of the Passion both accessible and visually engaging, while preserving its spiritual intensity. A painting full of charm, rich in details and highly appealing for its decorative presence.