Peter Rogers (1933- )
Oil on canvas, laid down on board
91.5 x 122 cm
1961
Methodist Modern Art Collection
No. ROG/1962
Image Copyright © Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes. The Methodist Church Registered Charity no. 1132208
Biblical commentary
Matthew 27: 27–30
Jesus is seated to the left, crowned with thorns and holding the reed, and wearing a purple robe (Mark and John describe the robe as purple, Matthew as scarlet). Eight Roman soldiers are grouped around him in various mocking acts – the leftmost raises his right arm to strike Jesus, one stands in front of him with arms outstretched, two on the right ‘bow the knee’, and one lies on the floor, as if exhausted by the mockery. The background is minimal. Strictly speaking Rogers has portrayed not the ‘Mocking of Christ’ but the ‘Crowning with Thorns’. The mocking, after Jesus’ appearance before Caiaphas, is by Jews rather than Roman soldiers. It is not unusual for the two incidents to be combined in a single painting.
Commentary based on A Guide to the Methodist Art Collection.