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Anthony van Dyck
(1599–1641)
Ecce Homo
Genoa, about 1625/6
Oil on canvas
Christ, crowned with thorns, is clothed in a robe of imperial purple in mockery of his description as the King of the Jews. Van Dyck shows him as the Man of Sorrows with a single tear running down his face – an image of profound sadness and humility. The format, with Christ’s body seen close up, confronts us with his human suffering. The title, Ecce Homo, means ‘Behold the Man’ — the words Pilate used to present Christ to the people before his crucifixion.
The great Flemish artist Van Dyck painted this work in Genoa for the noble Balbi family during his stay in Italy (1621–7).
Purchased 1954 (No. 54.4)