Tiziano (c.1488-1576)
Ecce Homo
1543
Oil on canvas, 242 x 361 cm
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna
Signature: Referenced bottom center of the note: TITIANVS EQVES CES F. 1543
The scene was rarely depicted in Italy, but is probably explained by the Flemish origin of the commissioner. The figure of Christ, conspicuously moved to the side, nevertheless attracts all attention through brilliant image direction. The excited young man on the left forms the compositional prelude. The back view of the soldier leads the gaze up to the protagonist. The double-headed eagle and the signature “EQUES CES” further to the right are a tribute to the imperial court, of which Titian had become the official painter in 1533. (KHM)