Ecce Homo 1806

This mezzotint, "Ecce Homo," was crafted by Charles Howard Hodges, capturing a pivotal scene: Christ crowned with thorns. This crown, far from a symbol of royalty, is an instrument of derision, a twisted parody of power. The "Ecce Homo"—"Behold the Man"—motif carries profound religious weight. But consider, too, its psychological resonance. The image of suffering, unjustly inflicted, recurs throughout history, embodying collective trauma. The crown of thorns evokes not only Christ's Passion but also echoes in other symbols of martyrdom and sacrifice. We see echoes of this motif, for example, in images of bound prophets in ancient Near Eastern art, each bearing witness to human suffering and resilience. The enduring power of this image lies in its ability to tap into our shared human experience of pain, injustice, and empathy. It is a stark reminder of how symbols can transcend their original context, evolving and resonating across centuries.