Scourging of Christ

Art Historical Context

This powerful drawing by Aureliano Milani captures the intense moment of Christ’s scourging, a central episode from the Passion narrative. Created between 1700 and 1740, the work depicts Roman soldiers administering punishment to a suffering Jesus, emphasizing physical torment and emotional gravity through dynamic poses and expressive gestures. As an Italian artist active in Bologna during the late Baroque period, Milani drew on the dramatic traditions of his predecessors to heighten the scene’s emotional impact for viewers. Executed in pen and brown ink with washes, the medium allows for fluid, energetic lines that convey movement while the layered washes create subtle tonal depth and shadow. Such techniques were prized in the 18th century for preparatory studies, enabling artists to explore composition and light before transferring ideas to larger paintings or frescoes. The sizable sheet (roughly 22 by 17 inches) suggests it may have served as a finished presentation drawing rather than a quick sketch. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum’s Department of Drawings and Prints, this work reflects the enduring role of religious imagery in European art, inviting contemplation of sacrifice and redemption. Its acquisition as part of Cornelius Vanderbilt’s 1880 gift underscores the 19th-century appreciation for Italian Old Master drawings.