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Ecce Homo
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Simon Bening
Flemish, Bruges, about 1525 - 1530
Tempera colors, gold paint, gold leaf, and ink on parchment
6 5/8 x 4 1/2 in.
MS. LUDWIG IX 19, FOL. 164V

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Pilate brings Christ, covered in blood and crowned with thorns, before the Jews in order that they might judge him. The response of the crowd is to call for his crucifixion. Because Pilate uttered the words Ecce Homo (Behold the man) upon presenting Christ to the people, the scene is known by that name. Simon Bening filled the lower half of the miniature with the raucous crowd, thereby contrasting the ugly mob with the isolated and vulnerable figure of Christ.