Christ presented to Pilate by henchmen 1495 - 1539

Marcantonio Raimondi made this print, Christ presented to Pilate by henchmen, sometime in the early 16th century. It's a small engraving on a sheet of paper, and it captures a pivotal scene from the Bible. Raimondi was an Italian engraver, known for reproducing paintings by other artists, including Raphael. The image illustrates the moment when Christ is brought before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, by a group of henchmen. It offers a glimpse into the religious and political climate of the Renaissance. The architecture reminds us of Roman authority, while the figures reflect the social tensions of the time. Notice the contrast between the central figure of Pilate, and the crowd surrounding Christ. To fully understand Raimondi's work, we can delve into the art market of the period, and examine the role of printmaking in disseminating religious imagery. Art history isn't just about the artwork itself, but about the world that shapes it.