Created:
Movement:
1663
Baroque
key Notes:
Baroque chiaroscuro; Dramatic tension
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Dimensions:
81 1/8 x 72 3/4 in. (206.1 x 184.8 cm)
medium:
Oil on canvas
story of the work:

We have not been able to find much information about this work, or we believe the information we sourced needed more review.

Pilate Washing His Hands by Mattia Preti

Mattia Preti, known as "Il Cavalier Calabrese," created the painting "Pilate Washing His Hands" in 1663 using oil on canvas. This work exemplifies Preti's mastery of chiaroscuro, a technique that emphasizes the dramatic contrast between light and dark, which was a hallmark of the Baroque period. The painting captures the moment from the biblical narrative where Pontius Pilate symbolically washes his hands, signifying his attempt to absolve himself of responsibility for the crucifixion of Jesus. Preti's ability to convey complex emotional and moral themes through his dynamic compositions and expressive figures is evident in this work. As an artist who worked extensively in Italy and Malta, Preti's contributions to Baroque art are significant, particularly in his role in the decoration of the interior of St. John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta, Malta. His works continue to be studied for their technical brilliance and their impact on the development of Baroque art in Southern Europe.

Description of the work:

Pilate Washing His Hands by Mattia Preti

Created in 1663, "Pilate Washing His Hands" by Mattia Preti is an oil on canvas painting that exemplifies the dramatic chiaroscuro and dynamic composition characteristic of the Baroque period. The artwork depicts the biblical scene of Pontius Pilate symbolically absolving himself of responsibility for the crucifixion of Jesus, capturing the tension and moral complexity of the moment.

Artwork Photograph Source:
Metropolitan Museum of Art

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Pilate Washing His Hands