Ecce Homo 1639

Guido Reni made this drawing of ‘Ecce Homo’, or ‘Behold the Man’, using chalk and graphite on paper. The choice of materials matters here. Chalk and graphite are direct, immediate media, perfectly suited to capturing fleeting expressions. Look closely, and you can see the artist’s hand at work in the grainy texture of the shading. The softness of the materials lends itself to depicting the vulnerability of Christ. Reni’s technique elevates what would otherwise be a preparatory sketch to a work of art in its own right. Although it’s just a drawing, the pathos is palpable. In a painting, the artist might have been tempted to add more color, more drama. Here, the simplicity of the materials allows the viewer to focus on the subject’s humanity. The artist's choice of materials, techniques and social context challenges the traditional distinction between high art and craft, emphasizing the importance of making and materiality.