Ecce Homo (1500s)

Ecce Homo is displayed at Oxford’s Ashmolean, artist unknown. Carved in poplar wood from Lombardy or Veneto, it looks eerily modern, yet it was made between the years 1500-1540. Unlike much late medieval and sixteenth century art, it is neither mawkish nor stylised, and realistically the Lord Jesus at His trial before Pilate when He is presented to the crowd. We, the viewers, are a part of that crowd.

In Townend’s 2003 hymn How Deep The Father's Love For Us, these startling and cutting lines are found, referring to a scene just a few hours after the depiction of the trial:

Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice

Call out among the scoffers.

“Behold the Man”, cried Pilate. “Behold your God”, cried Isaiah. Here is Christ, fully man and fully God, submitting to rough Roman hands, sharp thorns and rusting nails, that the lost sons of Adam might become the adopted sons of God. What amazing grace!

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