Sienese School, 16th century

This broadly painted and wonderfully unfinished work was probably executed in Siena, during the first decades on the 16th century, by an artist influenced by Domenico Beccafumi's highly distinctive and expressive Mannerist style, particularly evident in the physiognomy and sketchy handling of the figures. Particularly striking is the dialectic between the finished and unfinished elements, providing important cues to this anonymous artist's working method. Taken from Saint John’s account of The Passion, this work depicts the moment the scourged Christ is presented to the people shortly before his Crucifixion. He is painted wearing the emblems of kingship with which he is mocked: the crown of thorns, reed sceptre and a cloak, drawn here across Christ's shoulders.

Perceptible to the naked eye is the fact that the panel initially depicted a different composition, in landscape format. Of the original painting which remains incomplete, one can still make out what appears to be a Virgin Mary in glory amidst the clouds—at the level of Christ’s proper right arm—and to her right, another figure, identifiable perhaps as an angel. Traces of green and red hues scattered throughout the panel may have belonged to this initial, unfinished composition.