Ecce Homo, from "The Passion"
Original title: Ecce Homo, from "The Passion"
kurzbeschreibung
Lucas Cranach the Elder made this woodcut as part of his Passion series; it presents the Ecce Homo scene. The undated sheet measures 17.2 × 25.3 cm. Christ, bearing a cross halo, stands at the center, surrounded by soldiers and a crowd.
Description
Christ occupies the middle ground, singled out by a cross halo, and is flanked by armored soldiers with lances and shields. The arrangement feels balanced and nearly mirror-symmetrical. A tiered platform fills the rear, where a many-figured crowd presses together with varied faces and garments. A crenellated wall with coats of arms closes the scene. Lighting stays even, as is typical of the woodcut.
Context
This sheet belongs to a Passion cycle Cranach produced in the first half of the 16th century. The artist worked in Wittenberg and was close to the Reformation. The series was intended for religious instruction and was widely circulated through printing. The scene follows the biblical account of Jesus being presented to the people.
Impact
The clear layout and calm linework convey a solemn stillness. The lively but ordered crowd directs the gaze to the central event. Through precise execution and balanced arrangement, the sheet feels representative of Renaissance art.
Technique
For this woodcut, the motif was cut into a wooden block and then printed on paper. The linework is careful and detailed, with fine hatching for shadows and textures. The black-and-white palette is characteristic of this print technique and underlines the graphic quality.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)