Humiliated Collection (#6)

The passum sub iugum or passing under the yoke was a practice in ancient Italy where defeated enemies were made to pass beneath a yoke constructed of spears to either humiliate them or to remove

Degradation Of A Knight. After A Fragment Of A Woodcut Dated 1565 And Attributed To Jost Amman. From Military And Religious Life In The Middle Ages By Paul Lacroix Published London Circa 1880

Christ Crowned with Thorns (copy). n. d. Creator: Jan Muller
Christ Crowned with Thorns (copy).n.d. After Lucas van Leyden

Lady Bruce, Sister of Robert Bruce, King of Scotland, confined in a Cage, c1787
Lady Bruce, Sister of Robert Bruce, King of Scotland, confined in a Cage & exposed on the Battlements of Roxburgh Castle by order of Edward I. King of Scotland, c1787

The Helvetians Force the Romans to Pass Under the Yoke, 1858. Artist: Charles Gleyre
The Helvetians Force the Romans to Pass Under the Yoke, 1858. The triumph of the Helvetii over the Romans at Agen in 107 BC. From a private collection

Testis Ovat, Titus Oates in the pillory, 17th century (c1905). Testis Ovat is an anagram of Oates name. An Anglican priest, he made up the story of the Popish Plot of 1678

Self-posession of Fabricius under rather Trying Circumstances, 1852. Artist: John Leech
Self-posession of Fabricius under rather Trying Circumstances, 1852. From The Comic History of Rome, by Gilbert A A Beckett, illustrated by John Leech. [Bradbury, Agnew & Co, London, 1852]

School-boys flogging the Schoolmaster, 1852. Artist: John Leech
School-boys flogging the Schoolmaster, 1852. From The Comic History of Rome, by Gilbert A. A Beckett, illustrated by John Leech. [Bradbury, Agnew & Co, London, 1852]

A Lictor is sent to arrest Publilius Volero, 1852. Artist: John Leech
A Lictor is sent to arrest Publilius Volero, 1852. From The Comic History of Rome, by Gilbert A A Beckett, illustrated by John Leech. [Bradbury, Agnew & Co, London, 1852]

The Duchess of Gloucester does penance, 1441 (1864). Artist: James William Edmund Doyle
The Duchess of Gloucester does penance, 1864. Eleanor, Duchess of Gloucester (nee Cobham; c1400 - 7 July 1452), was a mistress and the second wife of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester

Aristotle and Phyllis, c1480 (1945). Artist: Leonardo da Vinci
Aristotle and Phyllis, c1480 (1945). From The Drawings of Leonardo da Vinci. [Reynal & Hitchcock, New York, 1945]

Dr Syntax with the Skimmington Riders, 1820. Artist: Thomas Rowlandson
Dr Syntax with the Skimmington Riders, 1820. From The Second Tour of Doctor Syntax, In Search of Consolation, by William Combe. [Ackermann, London, 1820]

The Dutch in the Medway, c1790. Artist: Dirk Langendijk
The Dutch in the Medway, c1790. The Raid on the Medway was a successful Dutch attack on the largest English naval ships, which were laid up in the dockyards of Chatham in June 1667 during the Second

Hollands Raid on the Thames, c1668. Artist: Willem Schellinks
Hollands Raid on the Thames, c1668. The Raid on the Medway was a successful Dutch attack on the largest English naval ships

Running The Gauntlet - Stage VI, c1920. Artist: Charles Edmund Brock
Running The Gauntlet - Stage VI, c1920. From The Art of the Illustrator - C E Brock and his work, by Percy V Bradshaw. [The Press Art School, London, c1920 ]

Mrs. Tibbs and Mr. Evenson, c1900. Artist: George Cruikshank
Mrs. Tibbs and Mr. Evenson, c1900. An illustration for Sketches by Boz by Charles Dickens. From Hard Times and Sketches by Boz, Volume XI, by Charles Dickens. [Blackwood, Le Bas & Co. London, c1900]

Simon Paap (1789-1828 ) and James Toller (1798-1818), c1894
Simon Paap (1789-1828 ) and James Toller (1798-1818) c1816. Simon Paap (1789-1828 ) was a famous Dutch dwarf who stood at twenty eight inches tall and James Toller (1798-1818)

Jonathan Wild in the Cart, 1878
Jonathan Wild in the Cart.(from a contemporary Print).Engraving from Old and new London Volume 2 by Walter Thornbury.Published by Cassell, Petter and Galpin, 1878

Chinese criminals in the Viceroys Yamen, now used as a jail, Tientsin (Tianjin), China, 1901. Criminals wearing large wooden collars known as cangues. Stereoscopic card. Detail

Chain gang, Soo-Chow (Suzhou), China, late 19th or early 20th century. Artist: Underwood & Underwood
Chain gang, Soo-Chow (Suzhou), China, late 19th or early 20th century. A chain gang wearing cangues, which record their crime. Stereoscopic card. Detail

Bonapartes Flight in Disguise from Russia, 1811, 1814. Artist: Sutherland
Bonapartes Flight in Disguise from Russia, 1811, 1814

Aristotle and Phyllis, 1513 (1964). Aristotle seduced and humiliated by Phyllis after he objected to her distracting his pupil, Alexander, from his studies

Punishment of the Tcha, China, 1796. Artist: Hall
Punishment of the Tcha, China, 1796. A criminal with his head in a tcha, or cangue, a type of portable pillory

Napoleon receives the keys of Vienna, Schloss Schonbrunn, 13th November 1805 (1882-1884). Vienna fell to the French during the War of the Third Coalition

Now, Freshie, Ride the Goat and Make it Pretty. Artist: American Stereoscopic Company
Now, Freshie, Ride the Goat and Make it Pretty. Stereoscopic card detail

The Last Days of a Condemned Prisoner, 1870 (1900). Artist: Jonnard
The Last Days of a Condemned Prisoner, 1870 (1900). A print from The Magazine of Art, Cassell and Company, Limited, 1900

Captain Bainbridge and the Dey of Algiers, 1800 (c1880) Artist: Hooper
Captain Bainbridge and the Dey of Algiers, 1800 (c1880). William Bainbridge was the commander of the George Washington, sent to carry the tribute that the United States paid to the Dey of Algiers so

A countryman tarred and feathered, America, c1770s (c1880). A print from Cassells History of the United States, by Edmund Ollier, Volume II, Cassell Petter and Galpin, London, c1880

A Ruined Devotee of the Turf, c1880-1882. Artist: John Everett Millais
A Ruined Devotee of the Turf, c1880-1882. Facsimile of the original drawing by John Everett Millais. A print from Modern Artists, prepared under the direction of FG Dumas, JS Virtue and Co, London

Plaiting the Crown of Thorns, 1875. A print from The Illustrated London News, 20th March 1875

The Governor of Kinburn surrendering to the allies, Crimean War, 17 October 1855, (1857). Artist: G Greatbach
The Governor of Kinburn surrendering to the allies, Crimean War, 17 October 1855, (1857). Forts of Kinburn (Ukraine) bombarded by a combined British Royal Navy and French Navy

William Prynne (1600-1669) in the pillory, c1902. From Cassells Illustrated History of England, volume III (c1902)

The scourging of Boadicea, 60 AD, (c1920). Artist: JR Skelton
The scourging of Boadicea, 60 AD, (c1920). Illustration from Story of the British Nation, Volume I, by Walter Hutchinson, (London, c1920s)

Discussing the surrender of France after the Battle of Sedan, Franco-Prussian War, 1870 (1900). Artist: Georg Bleibtreu
Discussing the surrender of France after the Battle of Sedan, Franco-Prussian War, 1870 (1900). General Faure, General de Wimpffen, Moltke and Bismarck

The Surrender of Calais, (19th century). Artist: JC Armytage
The Surrender of Calais, 19th century. A scene from the 100 Years War, in which Edward III of England, having finally taken Calais in 1346, asks for six citizens to be sent to him

Dancing Bear, 1785. Artist: C Knight
Dancing Bear, 1785. Illustration from Social Caricature in the Eighteenth Century... With over two hundred illustrations by George Paston [pseudonym of Emily Morse Symonds], (London, 1905)

Exaltation of Faros daughters, 1796. Albinia, Countess of Buckinghamshire (left) and Lady Archer are ridiculed in the stocks, as the mob throw rotten vegetables at them

The adieux at Fontainebleau, France, 20 April 1814 (1900). The defeat at the Battle of Leipzig and the subsequent invasion of France by the Allies culminated in Napoleons abdication on 11 April

Christ Stripped of His Clothing, 1925. Artist: Jean Louis Forain
Christ Stripped of His Clothing, 1925. An etching from Modern Masters of Etching, by JL Forain, (The Studio, London, 1925)

Pillory In The Market, (1885). Based on a popular print. The pillory was a device used in punishment by public humiliation

Jesus Crowned with Thorns, (1870). A wood engraving after a work by Durer of c1512. Illustration from The Arts of the Middle Ages and at the Period of the Renaissance, by Paul Lacroix, (London, 1870)

Christopher Columbus in chains on board the Gorda, 1490s, (c1872). Italian explorer Columbus (1451-1506) was sent back to Spain in chains aboard a ship called the Gorda

Crown of Thorns (Ecce Homo), 17th century. Artist: Peter Paul Rubens
Crown of Thorns (Ecce Homo), 17th century. Rubens, Pieter Paul (1577-1640). Found in the collection of the State Hermitage, St. Petersburg

The Journey of a Modern Hero, to the Island of Elba, 1814. Cartoon depicting Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821), Emperor of the French

Alms, c1870-c1875. Artist: Andrei Osipovich Karelin
Alms, c1870-c1875. Found in the collection of the State Museum of History, Moscow

Strasbourg statue, Place de la Concorde, Paris, 1904. After the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, when Alsace-Lorraine was lost to Germany

Caricature of Francesco Crispi, Italian politician, 1896. Artist: Henri Meyer
Caricature of Francesco Crispi, Italian politician, 1896. Satirical cartoon on the defeat of the invading Italian army at the siege of Mek ele, Ethiopia

The Jacket of Crispi, 1896. Artist: Henri Meyer
The Jacket of Crispi, 1896. Defeat at the hands of King Menilek IIs army at Adwa brought the Italian invasion of Ethiopia to a humiliating end and led to the resignation of the prime minister

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"Humiliated: A Journey Through History's Tales of Shame and Mockery" Step into the past and witness moments of humiliation captured in art. From political submissions to artistic punishments, these images depict the vulnerability and degradation experienced by individuals throughout history. In 1077, Henry IV's submission at Canossa is immortalized in an unknown painting. The once powerful ruler humbles himself before Pope Gregory VII, a moment that forever stains his legacy. Queen Margaret places a paper crown on the Duke of York's head in a painting from the 18th century. This symbolic act reveals her triumph over him, leaving him feeling exposed and belittled. The German punishment known as the "Shame Flute" showcases how being a poor musician could lead to public humiliation. Those who failed to meet musical standards were forced to play this instrument while being mocked by their peers. Even great conquerors like Alexander the Great faced moments of humiliation. Though celebrated for his victories, he too experienced setbacks that left him questioning his own invincibility. General Methuen surrendering to de la Rey during the 2nd Boer War highlights another instance of personal defeat. As he relinquishes control, his pride is shattered under the weight of defeat. Religious narratives also capture instances of humiliation with profound impact. In scenes depicting Jesus' Passion, we witness Him stripped of His clothes - an act meant to degrade and expose His vulnerability. From Christ's crowning with thorns to His flagellation and mocking, artists have depicted these painful moments throughout centuries. Each stroke on canvas portrays not only physical suffering but also emotional torment inflicted upon Him. Lastly, Robert van Audenaerde's "Mocking of Christ" encapsulates both physical abuse and psychological torment endured by Jesus at human hands. These paintings serve as reminders that even divinity can be subjected to shame and ridicule. These captivating artworks remind us that humiliation has been woven into our shared history.