Pilate washing his hands, from The Passion
Original title: Pilate washing his hands, from The Passion
kurzbeschreibung
Pontius Pilate washes his hands at the center of this woodcut by Lucas Cranach the Elder. The print belongs to a Passion series and captures the biblical moment when the Roman governor declares his innocence. Around him, soldiers gather in a lavish room.
Description
The layout is symmetrical: Pilate stands in the middle, flanked by armored soldiers and other figures. Ornaments and flowers decorate the interior, which resembles a stage set. Faces and garments are drawn with fine detail, dignified and expressive. The woodcut remains monochrome, with even lighting and a characteristic line style.
Context
This Passion series by Lucas Cranach the Elder was probably created in the early 16th century, when woodcuts served as a mass medium for religious imagery. The scene follows the Gospel of Matthew. Cranach, court painter in Wittenberg, was known for his detailed prints.
Impact
The symmetrical arrangement and opulent setting give the scene a solemn, almost theatrical feel. Clear lines and a calm structure draw the eye to the central gesture of hand-washing. A tension emerges between power and the protestation of innocence.
Technique
To make the print, the design was cut into a woodblock and then pulled onto paper. Precise cutting is evident in the fine lines and hatching. At about 24.9 × 16.7 cm, the sheet matches the usual format of single-leaf prints of the period.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)