Ecce Homo
unknown (Italian School)
Basic information
- ID
- Ж-1013
- Author
- unknown (Italian School)
- Name
- Ecce Homo
- Date of creation
- 15th c.
- Technique
- oil painting
- Material
- wood oil
- Dimensions (height x width, cm)
- 36 x 27
Additionally
- Type
- painting
- Genre
- religious
- Plot
- Crowning with Thorns Christ before Pilate Ecce homo
- Provenance
- Collection of Leon Pininski
- Exposition
- Potocki Palace
Information about author
Object description
Christ's pale face and red garments stand out against a golden background. Every detail is rendered meticulously: the thorns piercing his forehead, the blood dripping down his face, and the sad gaze predicting his inevitable suffering and death on the cross. This depiction of Christ is traditionally known as "Ecce Homo" ("Behold the Man") or "Christ Crowned with Thorns". According to the Bible (John 19:5), Roman soldiers beat and tormented Christ before his crucifixion. They dressed him in a purple robe and placed a crown of thorns on his head, proclaiming, "Hail, King of the Jews!". Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, then presented Christ to the crowd, saying, "Behold the man", as depicted in the artwork. Such small paintings on religious themes were used for private prayer. They were popular among wealthy and common families, as empathy with the crucified Christ was an essential feature of Renaissance spirituality. Artists accentuated the embodied Deity, emphasised by the polished gold background and halo. This unconventional artwork has a particular emotional impact on the viewer. The small size of the piece suggests that it was intended for close observation, aiming to make a deep impression and evoke compassion. The person who commissioned this artwork for their private chamber could kneel before it, contemplating the pain of Christ.
Legal regulation
Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery
