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Master of the Bruges Passion Scenes, 'Christ presented to the People', about 1510

About the work

Overview

Several episodes of the story of the Passion (Christ’s torture and crucifixion) are packed into this busy painting. The narrative begins in the background on the left, where Christ is scourged. In the next scene he has been crowned with thorns and dressed in a purple (now blue) robe; he holds a reed in his right hand and is mocked by the soldiers.

In the foreground, the Roman governor Pontius Pilate leads Christ out and says ‘Ecce Homo’ (‘Behold the man’). On seeing him, the chief priests and officers called for Christ’s crucifixion; Pilate replied, ‘Take ye him and crucify him: for I find no fault in him’ (John 19: 6). The foremost figures are presumably the chief priests, with the ‘officers’ behind them.

We don't know the identity of the painter, but he was an eclectic artist, borrowing whole scenes and individual figures from other artists, among them Martin Schongauer, Hans Memling and Albrecht Dürer.

Key facts

Details

Full title
Christ presented to the People
Artist dates
active early 16th century
Date made
about 1510
Medium and support
oil on wood
Dimensions
93.4 × 41.5 cm
Inscription summary
Inscribed
Acquisition credit
Bequeathed by Mrs Joseph H. Green, 1880
Inventory number
NG1087
Location
Not on display
Collection
Main Collection
Previous owners

About this record

If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.

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