Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn 1606 – 1669

Ecce Homo (1634)

oil on paper (54 × 44 cm) — 1634 The National Gallery, London

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn biography

This work is linked to John 19:5

Ecce Homo, Behold the Man, says Pilate as he presents Jesus to the Jewish people and its priests. The latter are shown with rather twisted faces, perhaps in order to emphasize the treacherous reasoning they used to get Jesus executed. To the right is a statue with Caesar, symbol of Roman power and authority.

This painting was a study for an etching that Rembrandt made in 1635. It is a grisaille, a painting in monochrome.

In 1655 Rembrandt would make another etching with Ecce Homo.

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