Ecce Homo c. 1774 - 1789

Jean-Pierre Norblin de la Gourdaine created this etching, Ecce Homo, during the late 18th or early 19th century. The print captures a chaotic yet meticulously structured scene, dominated by a central vertical axis that runs from the architectural heights to the densely packed crowd below. Norblin’s technique employs a stark contrast between light and shadow, which serves to heighten the drama and direct the viewer’s eye. Notice how the architectural backdrop, with its arches and classical statues, seems to crumble and dissolve into the swirling smoke, contrasting against the sharp lines of the figures in the foreground. This juxtaposition challenges conventional notions of order and authority. The composition can be viewed through the lens of semiotics, where each element acts as a signifier within a complex system. By destabilizing the traditional representation of religious events, Norblin questions established meanings and invites us to reconsider the narratives that shape our understanding of power and morality.