Pilate Showing Christ to the People (Ecce Homo), 1870–1875
Oil on canvas
Dimensions without frame97 × 123 cm
Dimensions with frame149,3 × 173 × 13,5 cm
About the workWith this motif, the Düsseldorf painter Eduard von Gebhardt referred to a story from the Gospel of John in the Bible. "Ecce homo", "behold the man", Pontius Pilate calls out with a deliberate gesture to the agitated mob to whom he is presenting Jesus of Nazareth. Pilate, a high official in Jerusalem, sees no reason for his condemnation. In the end, however, he has to bow to the will of the crowd, who demand Jesus' execution. Von Gebhardt was known for his emotional depiction of biblical events. The painting was initially regarded as a sketch due to its fleeting style.
AccessionGift 1890
Provenance[...]; o.D. Kunsthandlung Josef Morschhäuser, Düsseldorf; 1890 Geschenk Professor Georg Oeder
Inventory numberM 4016
