Ecce H*mo

Ecce H*mo by Titian was created not long after The Presentation of the Virgin, and in many studies, the painting has been regarded as a revision of the earlier works.

It was considered a major work of the times due to precision Titian put on the work. Jesus Christ is portrayed in the picture with a crowd of people who are eagerly demanding his death. Ecce H*mo by Titian is an improved version of earlier compositions created by the artist on this subject. It captures the Pilate in a blue and gold costume pointing towards Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the centre of attention in this portrait with people demanding for his death. Titian managed to create a mood that is evident the moment one set eyes on this painting.

In this Ecce H*mo, the Italian Mannerism style was employed by using oil on canvas. The style favours instability and compositional intensity rather than balance as depicted in the picture. Colours are used appropriately, but in comparison with the earlier compositions, the sequence of the chromatic accents are inverted. The blue and gold used in Pilate’s costume are similar to that of the Virgin on steps. Also, the blue and the red assert themselves with greater impact, contrast and density. The sequence of the colour is easy to piece together because of the oil on canvas method used to create the painting. In this technique, oil links the pigments to the canvas so that when the paint dries, a strong paint film is developed.

Titian used a brush, oil and canvas to create the painting. The combination of these materials helped him create a masterpiece that Giovanni d'Anna admired for its beauty.

The painting is based on a scene in which the crowd demands the death of Jesus Christ. In this Ecce H*mo, the magnificently dressed man standing on the right foreground is Pilate, who many confused with Pietro Aretino, the Venetian doge in office at the time. In addition, Sultan Süleyman II is the Ottoman knight behind Pilate and further to the right, are military opponents who are ready to strike. Titian also incorporated the image of a young woman dressed in white who is thought to be his daughter. This is Titian’s distinctive style in many of his compositions where his daughter is an inspiration for his work. In addition, the brilliant stage management in the Ecce H*mo by Titian places all focus on Jesus Christ who is at the edge of the painting. At the same time, the other characters in the painting are well coordinated to evoke a compositional mood.

The painting was commissioned by Giovanni d'Anna, a rich merchant in Venice, who Titian created the work to give to him. He was quite impressed by the work and praised Titian for the Ecce H*mo.