Pilate Washing His Hands, from "The Passion"

Pilate Washing His Hands, from "The Passion" by Albrecht Dürer, is a powerful engraving created in 1512. This highly detailed print belongs to a late series depicting the suffering and crucifixion of Christ, demonstrating Dürer's mastery of the burin during the height of the Northern Renaissance.

The composition focuses intensely on the moment when the Roman prefect, Pilate, publicly attempts to absolve himself of the decision to condemn Christ. Pilate is shown meticulously washing his hands in a basin, a profound act symbolizing his refusal of responsibility. To the right, Dürer depicts the tragic consequence as soldiers lead Christ away toward his fate. The scene utilizes deep contrast, where precise, dense line work and intricate cross-hatching define the robust forms of the surrounding men and the textures of the classical architecture.

As a revolutionary printmaker, Dürer was instrumental in utilizing the medium of the engraving to distribute complex religious iconography widely across Europe. The high quality and technical virtuosity of the piece ensured that his depiction of this pivotal biblical event achieved immense recognition. This particular impression of Pilate Washing His Hands is preserved in the distinguished collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of its age and status as a foundational work of European graphic arts, this early sixteenth-century work is commonly recognized as being in the public domain, making Dürer’s technical genius accessible for continued scholarly examination.