Christ Crowned with Thorns

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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Christ is shown as a prisoner, a rope around his neck. He wears a crown of thorns and a purple robe, props made by his Roman captors to mock him: one of the charges against him was that he was claiming to be the 'King of the Jews'. Dressed like this, he was brought before the citizens of Jerusalem by Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, with the words, 'Behold the Man!' (John 19: 5). In Latin this is Ecce Homo, which became the title of this type of image.Meditating upon the Passion (Christ's torture and execution) was thought to bring believers closer to God, and images like this were visual aids intended to promote empathy for Christ's physical suffering. The intensity of the image is achieved by the tight cropping around Christ's torso, and the dark background which contrasts with his strongly illuminated face -- visual devices usually reserved for portraits.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

Christ Crowned with Thorns

Date

about 1500-5

Medium

Oil on wood

Measurements

H 40.3 x W 32.4 cm

Accession number

NG691

Acquisition method

Bequeathed by Lt.-General Sir William George Moore, 1862

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

View venue