Jesus, Ecce Homo (Behold the Man) (SAU 21)

Like Bethune’s Mater Dolorosa, the inspiration for his Ecce Home (Behold the Man) comes from Northern Renaissance Flemish painting: Christ Being Crowned with Thorns on the left wing of the Oultremont Triptych of c. 1510 by Jan Mostaert (c. 1475-1555/1556). Mostaert himself and members of his workshop produced several copies of just the Jesus in two principal versions, a simpler one and a more elaborate one. Bethune’s Jesus most closely resembles the panel by a *follower* of Mostaert now in the National Gallery, London (Inventory No. NG3900). Matching details include the rendition of the crown of thorns, the tilt of the head, the tied hands, the bundle of twigs, and the reed “scepter”. A Google image search will yield a picture for comparison. Here on Zazzle, see Product ID: 228021657427618206 for the somewhat more elaborate version where Jesus leans left rather right, is surrounded by angels fluttering in the field above his head, and a cross looms in the background.