Ecce Homo, from "The Passion"

Ecce Homo, from "The Passion" is a profoundly influential engraving created by the German Renaissance master Albrecht Dürer in 1512. This precise print, part of Dürer’s influential series dedicated to the events leading up to and including the crucifixion of Christ, demonstrates the artist’s mastery of the burin. The work is held in the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Dürer utilized the demanding process of engraving to achieve remarkable detail, rendering textures and psychological depth through meticulously placed lines and cross-hatching.

The subject matter illustrates the moment Pontius Pilate presents the scourged Christ (Jesus) to the gathered crowd, announcing, “Ecce Homo” (Behold the Man). The composition is packed with figures, emphasizing the hostile atmosphere and the severe punishment Christ faces. Dürer’s rendering of the surrounding men highlights their cruelty, reflecting the intensity of the scene. Although the tag "Knives" suggests specific implements, the overall depiction is one of palpable violence, achieved through the menacing gestures and the implication of the tools used for the flagellation, driving home the theme of suffering central to the Northern Renaissance devotional tradition.

As a prolific printmaker, Dürer ensured that this powerful image was widely disseminated, allowing patrons and devotees across Europe access to sophisticated religious art. This particular piece showcases the emotional intensity Dürer could extract from black ink and paper. The enduring popularity and high quality of Dürer's prints have ensured that while the original resides with the Met, high-resolution public domain images of this significant artwork are readily available for study and appreciation, continuing the tradition of circulation Dürer pioneered five centuries ago.