The Flagellation by Spinello Aretino (Spinello di Luca Spinelli), tempera on canvas, gold ground, circa 1395-1400. Painted on both sides, this extremely rare work was commissioned about 1395-1400 by the Confraternity of Saint Mary Magdalene in Borgo San Sepolcro and would have been carried in religious processions. On one side the hooded members of the confraternity kneel before their patron saint. On the reverse is the Flagellation of Christ, a reminder of the penitential practices members would have performed. Laymen often joined religious confraternities for communal devotions and charitable acts. Their hooded robes rendered such acts anonymous, in conformity with Christ's injunction that good works should not be done for vain praise. SEE JA8473, JA8475