The Mocking of Christ with the Virgin and Saint Dominic is an altarpiece painted by Fra Angelico in the 15th century. It depicts the scene of Christ being mocked by Roman soldiers, with the Virgin Mary and Saint Dominic in poses of intense meditation. This religious painting is executed in the Early Renaissance style with the use of gold leaf, which hindered Fra Angelico’s typical deep, panoramic backgrounds.
The central image of Christ is separated from the foreground by a small flight of stairs, highlighting the divinity and transcendence of Christ’s suffering. Christ’s face, nimbus, and radiant white garments connect his transfiguration ecstasy with his passion, symbolizing his divine nature and sacrifice for humanity. The Dominicans, for whom the Church and Convent were painted, attributed great consideration to religion, which is evident in the attention to detail and the emotional intensity of the painting.
Assisted by Benozzo Gozzoli, Fra Angelico also painted the fresco fragment, The Crucifixion with Mourners and Saint Dominic, and created The Deposition from the Cross. Together, these artworks represent the artist’s religious devotion and mastery of form and composition. The Mocking of Christ with the Virgin and Saint Dominic is a popular painting that depicts the essence of Christ’s passion and serves as a testament to the spiritual significance of Renaissance art.
