1512
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Dominant colour
Pilate Washing His Hands is a 1512 by Albrecht Dürer, a Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
This etching shows a group of men in a dimly lit room. One man in a tall hat kneels, holding a bowl while another pours water into it. The others watch closely, some with serious faces. Outside the window, a busy cityscape unfolds with buildings and people. The scene looks like a moment from a story—maybe a biblical one—where someone is washing their hands to show they’re not responsible. The artist used strong lines and shadows to make the figures stand out. If you like this style, check out chiaroscuro next.
Albrecht Dürer spent his life in Nuremberg, a busy German city where artists traded prints like currency.
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