Pilate Washing his Hands, from The Engraved Passion

Pilate Washing his Hands, from The Engraved Passion by Albrecht Dürer German, 1471-1528, is a pivotal masterwork created in 1512. This piece is an exceptional example of German Renaissance printmaking, classified as a Print, and executed as an engraving in black on ivory laid paper.

The work belongs to Dürer’s celebrated series, The Engraved Passion (1507-1513), which utilized the highly controlled medium of engraving to achieve extraordinary detail and dramatic narrative power. Unlike the broader strokes required for woodcuts, the engraving process involves meticulously incising lines directly into a copper plate, allowing the artist to create deep blacks, precise textures, and subtle gradations of tone. Dürer’s technical brilliance cemented his reputation as the preeminent artist of the early 16th century in Germany.

The subject illustrates the climactic moment where Pontius Pilate, seeking to absolve himself of responsibility for Christ’s crucifixion, publicly washes his hands before the gathered crowd. The composition, though dense, focuses attention on Pilate’s conflicted expression and the dramatic gesture of purification. Dürer uses complex architectural settings and a detailed portrayal of the surrounding populace to heighten the scene’s emotional intensity.

As one of the most important prints created by the Nuremberg master, this piece demonstrates Dürer’s profound influence across Europe. This remarkable engraving is held in the comprehensive collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Since the work is considered part of the public domain, high-quality reproductions of this iconic Dürer engraving remain widely accessible for study and appreciation today.