Christus aan het volk getoond (Ecce Homo) 1582 - 1671

This print, "Ecce Homo," was created by Heinrich Ulrich sometime around the late 16th century. Ulrich uses engraving to construct a scene dominated by the architectural backdrop and the rigid figures surrounding Christ. Notice how Ulrich employs a precise, linear style to define forms and textures. The stark contrast between light and shadow sculpts each figure, accentuating their expressions and the folds of their garments. The strategic use of hatching and cross-hatching creates a sense of depth within a very limited space, intensifying the emotional weight of the scene. The figures are carefully arranged to lead our eye toward Christ, who stands almost ethereally amidst the angular lines and assertive poses of the surrounding men. This focus on the structure of the composition and the linear qualities invites us to consider not only the narrative but also the formal means by which Ulrich conveys the gravity and the solemnity of the moment. The artwork is a visual statement about power, vulnerability, and the act of seeing itself.