Getty Museum
Pilate Washing his Hands
Creator
Simon BeningFlemish Illuminator · 1483–1561
All works by this person →One of the most celebrated painters of Flanders in the 1500s, Simon Bening was hailed by Portuguese art critic Francisco da Hollanda as the greatest master of illumination in all of Europe. In addition to producing books for powerful aristocrats such as Cardinal Albrecht of Brandenburg, Bening worked for a group of international royal patrons including Emperor Charles V and Don Fernando, the Infan
More on Getty ULAN- Date
- about 1525–1530
- Medium
- Tempera colors, gold paint, and gold leaf
- Culture
- Flemish
- Department
- Manuscripts
- Institution
- Getty Museum
As in many of the judgment scenes in this book, Christ comes before his accuser with his wrists bound, surrounded by a cruel and ugly group of tormentors. According to the Gospels, Pilate found Christ innocent but was reluctant to release him because the Jews wanted him executed. Bowing to the demands of the crowd, he decided to follow custom and release a prisoner on Passover. Upon asking the Jews whether they wanted to free Christ or the robber Barabbas, the people called for Barabbas. Pilate gave in to the wishes of the people but publicly washed his hands as a sign of his disagreement with the decision.
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