Pilate Washing his Hands 1530 - 1535

"Pilate Washing his Hands" is a black chalk drawing on paper by the prominent Netherlandish artist Bernard van Orley, dated between 1530 and 1535. The artwork depicts the biblical scene from the Gospel of Matthew where Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, washes his hands to symbolically absolve himself of responsibility for the death of Jesus Christ. Van Orley's drawing showcases his masterful skill in capturing the drama and emotion of the moment, employing detailed anatomical precision in his rendition of figures and expressive gestures. This drawing, currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, provides a glimpse into the artistic practices of the Renaissance era and the enduring power of biblical narratives.