Christ contemplated by the Christian Soul
- Artist: Diego Velázquez
- Date: probably 1628-9
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the "Christ contemplated by the Christian Soul" painted in the Italian north. Diego Velázquez, a renowned Spanish painter, created this work around 1628-9. It's a powerful depiction of Christ after his Flagellation, where he was brutally flogged by Roman soldiers.
You can see the sticks and whip used for the assault lying in the foreground, while spots and trickles of blood on Christ's body and the column convey the brutality of this event. The plain space and deep shadow draw our attention to Christ, whose head lies at the centre of two diagonals.
To the right of Christ is a young boy representing the Christian Soul with its Guardian Angel. The angel gently directs the boy to consider the suffering of Christ, and a ray of light radiates from Christ's head towards the boy's heart. This composition is unusual, as it focuses on the moment after the beating rather than the act itself.
Velázquez was known for combining the everyday with biblical scenes in his paintings. Here, he masterfully portrays Christ accompanied by allegorical figures that seem lifelike and human, evoking heartfelt emotions. This painting would have been an object of devotion during the Catholic Reformation, encouraging worshippers to meditate on Christ's Passion and imagine themselves present at his Crucifixion.
See it in person
Christ contemplated by the Christian Soul hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
