Ecce Homo 1512

Albrecht Dürer created this engraving, 'Ecce Homo', around 1510 using a burin on copper. The scene presents Christ before Pontius Pilate, rendered through dense, precise lines creating stark contrasts. Dürer's masterful use of hatching and cross-hatching articulates form and texture, evoking a somber, weighty atmosphere. Structurally, Dürer employs a complex arrangement of figures and architectural elements, directing the viewer's eye through the composition. The figures are meticulously detailed, each face and garment rendered with striking realism. Dürer challenges fixed meanings by embedding contemporary cultural symbols and critiques within the biblical narrative, prompting viewers to reflect on issues of justice, power, and moral responsibility. The formal precision evident in every line underscores Dürer's profound engagement with philosophical and cultural discourses, reminding us that art is a dynamic site for ongoing interpretation.