Pilate washing his hands in innocence

The Roman governor Pilate thinks that Jesus hasn't done much harm and wants to let him go. But the Jewish priests and the crowd make him punish Jesus anyway. By washing his hands, Pilate shows he feels no responsibility for the events.

In the background to the right Jesus is taken away.

Jan Lievens was about 18 years old when he painted this panel. The rich details in Pilate's costly robe show he already was a very skillful artist.