José de Mora (Granada 1642 - 1724 Granada) Spanish, Late 17th/ early 18th century

José de Mora was part of a family of sculptors who were active in Granada during the late 17th and early 18th centuries, and he typically produced carvings featuring unusually mannered poses, such as the contorted and twisted pose in the present work. Christ's gaunt face, with its prominent cheekbones, parted lips revealing teeth, and wavy eyebrows, is also similar to those seen on other figures that are attributed to the Andalusian artist, such as his Saint Bruno in the Charterhouse in Granada and his Saint Dominic in the Sacristy of the Cordoba cathedral.

This carving depicts the moment when Pontius Pilate ordered Christ to be beaten to placate those who were calling for his death. Depictions of this scene, which is also referred to as the Flagellation, typically show the tormented Christ tied to a column by His hands as He is whipped, but in Andalusia it was more common to depict Christ alone and with His wounds, rather than among his torturers.

RELATED LITERATURE:

J. Gallego Burín, José de Mora. Su vida y su obra. Granada, 1925 (facsimile edition, 1988), pp. 130-131.