Ecce Homo (Behold the Man)

c. 1600

Ecce Homo (Behold the Man), c. 1600. Workshop or follower of Antonio Abondio (Italian, 1538–1591). Lead; overall: 8.3 x 6.4 cm (3 1/4 x 2 1/2 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Mrs. George A. Martin 1936.23 Mass-produced plaquettes like this work offered high quality devotional images for private use. The Latin title of this work, according to the Gospel of John (19:1-5), refers to the words that were spoken by Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, when he presented Christ, scourged and crowned with thorns, to the assembled crowds shortly before the Crucifixion. Here a full-length Christ reveals his wounds before angels who collect his blood in chalices, encouraging meditation on his suffering.