“Mocking of Christ” is an expressionist oil painting created by Emil Nolde in 1909. The artwork measures 88 x 106 cm and falls under the genre of religious painting. Currently, it is housed in the Brücke Museum in Berlin, Germany. This painting reflects the expressionist movement, known for its emphasis on emotional experience and the conveyance of moods over objective reality.
The artwork depicts a chaotic and emotionally intense scene, characteristic of Nolde’s bold use of color and form. The central figure, Christ, appears to be surrounded by mocking, grotesque faces, showing exaggerated and distorted features that may reflect the artist’s intention to convey the inner wickedness and mockery of the figures surrounding Christ. The use of vibrant colors and the thick application of paint creates a sense of movement and an almost aggressive atmosphere, which conveys the emotional turbulence of the scene. Nolde’s choice of color palette, which includes an array of yellows, reds, greens, and oranges, heightens the emotional impact and further defines the expressionist style of the period.
