Ecco Homo, from "The Small Passion" by Albrecht Dürer, is a significant woodcut dating to 1509. This print belongs to a highly influential series of 36 images documenting the Passion of Christ, a project executed by Dürer in Nuremberg early in the 16th century. The utilization of the woodcut medium allowed for broad distribution across Europe, contributing significantly to Dürer’s fame as the preeminent German printmaker of his era.
The subject matter, Ecco Homo (Behold the Man), follows the biblical narrative where Pontius Pilate displays the scourged figure of Christ to the populace, inviting them to judge him before the impending Crucifixion. Dürer focuses intently on the suffering and humanity of the central figure, emphasizing the emotional weight carried by Christ before his ultimate sacrifice on the Cross. This small-scale work offered an intimate perspective on religious devotion, making complex iconography accessible to a wider audience through affordable prints.
Dürer's technical skill in utilizing line and shadow within the demanding constraints of the woodcut medium revolutionized printmaking. Because of the age and enduring importance of these Reformation-era works, impressions of this particular print, Ecco Homo, are often considered part of the public domain, ensuring their continued study and appreciation globally. A key impression of this classic work is held in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, reflecting the institution's commitment to conserving seminal prints by the German master.
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