By the glow of blazing torchlight Pontius Pilate presents Christ to the unseen crowd that will decide his fate. Pilate's extravagent, fur-lined coat and the page's opulent jewelry contrast with the nearly naked Christ. Christ's simple yet eloquent expression contrasts with the ample jowls and corpulent cheeks of his judge, and the richly detailed costumes of the page and Pilate make Christ's partial nudity even more touching.
Having painted the subject of Christ shown to the people several times before,
Tiziano Vecellio, born between 1488 and 1490 near Venice, and known to the art world as Titian, returned to the theme at the very end of his career, working on this painting from 1570 up until his death in 1576. The painting looks unfinished due to the sketchiness of the flickering torch at the upper left corner. Titian was one of the most sought-after painters of his day, by both popes and secular rulers. For nearly sixty years he would be the most important member of the 16th century Venetian school of painters. His powerful brushstrokes, subdued palette and emotional subjects were typical of his late style.
This painting is part of the fantastic, permanent collection of the St. Louis Art Museum.
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