Ecce Homo - The Presentation of Christ, from The Large Passion

Ecce Homo - The Presentation of Christ, from The Large Passion is a powerful woodcut created by Albrecht Dürer German, 1471-1528, dated 1498. This image is a key component of Dürer's renowned series, The Large Passion, which chronicled the suffering of Christ in a format accessible to a wide audience. Executed in black ink on ivory laid paper, this print demonstrates the German master's early command of the print medium during the height of the Northern Renaissance.

The work depicts the climactic moment when Christ is presented to the masses by Pontius Pilate, a scene typically fraught with high emotional tension. Dürer’s masterful handling of the woodcut technique allows for dramatic contrasts between light and shadow, defining the figures with a precision uncommon in prints of this era. His intricate cross-hatching generates a sculptural quality and a deep sense of atmosphere, moving the medium far beyond its earlier, simpler applications. This mastery cemented Dürer’s reputation as the preeminent printmaker in Germany, revolutionizing how religious narratives were distributed through affordable prints.

Created in Germany near the close of the 15th century, the image reflects the intense religious fervor and technical innovation characteristic of the period. The immediacy and dramatic power of this work ensured its lasting influence on subsequent generations of artists. As a testament to Dürer’s enduring legacy, this impression of Ecce Homo - The Presentation of Christ is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it is preserved as an important example of Renaissance printmaking. Because of its historical age and importance, the work is often found available for study through public domain art initiatives, offering researchers and students access to high-quality images of this pivotal period.