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The Mocking of Christ

Maestro del Lume di candela (attribuito) XVII sec. d.C./ prima metà

Audio description of the artwork

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This painting is attributed to the so-called Master of Candlelight, an anonymous painter stylistically linked to Gerrit von Honthorst. However, his artistic sensibility and personality are entirely distinct from those of the Utrecht painter. The name is derived from the dark atmosphere of his works, which are often illuminated by candles, lamps, and torches, creating a sense of deep meditation.

Technical information

Author: Maestro del Lume di candela (attribuito)
Title: The Mocking of Christ
Date: XVII sec. d.C./ prima metà
Material and technique: Oil on canvas
Size: 73,3x98 cm
Location: Palazzo Pretorio Museum
Second Floor

The scene depicts an episode from the Passion of Christ. Such as: Jesus, wearing only a red tunic and crowned with thorns, comes face to face with a character who, over time, has been variously interpreted as a generic “Jew”, a scrooge, Caiaphas or Nicodemus.

The work exhibits an evocative quality, rendered through Christ's resigned sadness. The dramatic aura of the scene is also suggested by the play of shadows between the fingers of the hands, as well as the violent lighting on the chest and the red of the tunic.

It is widely believed that the anonymous master is not to be confused with Trophime Bigot. The latter was a Provençal painter active in Rome for many years, and also the author of candlelit scenes which are usually more structured and detailed, such as the Adoration of the Magi, a work signed and dated to the first half of the fourth decade, which is preserved in the Roman church of St Mark (San Marco).