Heads after the Ecce Homo 1720 - 1778

This sheet was made by François Joullain in the 18th century after studies by Charles Coupel. Joullain's print gives us access to the artistic practices of the time, revealing how artists studied and drew inspiration from classical and religious subjects. Look closely, and you’ll see an array of heads, some in the form of busts, others as drawings or paintings. The figures range from Roman emperors to what appears to be Christ. This juxtaposition invites us to consider the cultural values of the time, when classical antiquity and Christian narratives were central to European identity and artistic expression. Consider how the figures’ expressions are rendered: what do they convey about the human condition? What is the relationship between the idealised forms of classical sculpture and the emotional intensity of religious imagery? The arrangement encourages dialogue on themes of power, suffering, and spirituality, and prompts us to consider how these historical representations continue to shape our understanding of identity.