DUCCIO di Buoninsegna
(b. ca. 1255, Siena, d. 1319, Siena)

Christ Mocked (scene 11)

1308-11
Tempera on wood, 46 x 54 cm
Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Siena

The picture shows one of the 26 narrative scenes from the Stories of the Passion on the reverse side of the Maestà. It is situated in the bottom row on the right side above the scene of Christ Before Caiaphas.

According to the Gospel of St. Matthew, the compartment should be read from the bottom upwards. The scenes Christ before Caiaphas and Christ Mocked take place in the same surroundings, the lawcourt of the Sanhedrin, where Christ is brought before the High Priest Caiaphas and the Elders. Outside the room, the cock painted at the top alludes to the second and third denials of Peter.

Gestures are more agitated in the scene above where Christ blindfolded (according to the version in Mark and Luke) and immobile in his dark cloak, is mocked and beaten by the Pharisees.




© Web Gallery of Art, created by Emil Krén and Daniel Marx.