The Flagellation

The Flagellation by Albrecht Dürer, executed around 1509-1510, is a masterful example of the German Renaissance artist's innovative approach to graphic arts. Classified as a print, this powerful religious scene was created using the demanding medium of woodcut on laid paper. Produced during the height of Dürer's printmaking career, the work dates firmly within the period of 1501 to 1550, when the accessibility of prints revolutionized artistic distribution across Europe.

The work depicts the torment of Christ immediately prior to his crucifixion. Dürer focuses on the stark contrast between the suffering central figure and his brutally active tormentors, who dominate the foreground. Unlike engravings, which allow for very fine, fluid lines, the woodcut technique requires the artist to carve away all negative space; yet, Dürer achieved extraordinary detail and profound spatial depth within the confines of the black-and-white medium. The composition is highly dynamic, using dramatic positioning and contrast to emphasize the physical struggle and emotional intensity of the moment.

Dürer’s unparalleled contribution to German culture rests heavily on his ability to transform the perception of the woodcut from a simple illustration tool into a high-art form capable of conveying dramatic narrative. By elevating the sophistication of this medium, he ensured that complex religious imagery could reach a much broader audience through widely distributed prints. This piece is part of a larger, significant body of devotional works. The surviving impression of this seminal print currently resides in the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art, offering scholars and the public access to a cornerstone of early 16th-century European graphic art. Works of this age and stature often enter the public domain, securing their ongoing availability for study and appreciation worldwide.