The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of August 12, 2026

A vertically oriented intricate print in black ink depicts a man seated centrally on a high-backed throne, washing his hands as a figure to the left pours water from a pitcher. On the right, a man wearing a crown of thorns is surrounded by figures in armor and turbans. In the lower foreground, two small dogs encounter each other. Detailed, closely spaced hatching creates dramatic shadows throughout the crowded composition.

The Passion: Christ Before Pilate

c. 1480

Martin Schongauer

(German, c. 1450–1491)
Germany
engraving
Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Collection by exchange 1958.409
Catalogue raisonné: Lehrs V.141.24
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

The dog in this scene likely refers to late medieval Passion literature, which often compared Christ's tormentors to dogs.

Description

Martin Schongauer's series of the Passion of Christ was his largest set of engravings, made around 1480, and extensively copied across Europe. It consists of twelve prints detailing the suffering of Christ in the last days of his life. Schongauer's version focuses on crowded scenes, grotesque physiognomies of Christ's tormentors, and great pathos in the composition. Here, Christ is led before Pontius Pilate. The Roman governor washes his hands in water which a servant is pouring from a ewer into a basin. Right after, he orders Christ's crucifixion.
  • Sacred and Profane in Late Gothic Prints. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (June 2-August 2, 1987).
    Eight Masters of the Print. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (October 14, 1980-January 18, 1981).
    Old Master Prints and Drawings. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (July 29, 1966-February 28, 1967).
    Prints and Drawings from the Cleveland Museum of Art Collection. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (May 6-September 9, 1965).
  • {{cite web|title=The Passion: Christ Before Pilate|url=false|author=Martin Schongauer|year=c. 1480|access-date=12 August 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1958.409