Ecce Homo, from the Circular Passion 1509

Lucas van Leyden created this engraving, "Ecce Homo," as part of his "Circular Passion" series. The composition immediately draws the eye to the contrast between the circular frame and the stark, angular architecture within. Van Leyden masterfully uses line to create depth and texture. Notice how the dense cross-hatching in the foreground gives way to lighter, more delicate lines in the cityscape, suggesting distance. The artist creates a semiotic system that uses the image’s architectural elements to convey meaning and spatial relationships. The circular format destabilizes the traditional rectangular composition, pushing the viewer to engage with the narrative in a more intimate way. The circular frame creates a sense of continuity, a visual echo of the cyclical nature of religious stories, and invites ongoing interpretation of its themes and values.