Ecco Homo is a color aquatint from 1954 by American artist Marjorie Love Sutton (1912-1974). It is pencil signed, titled, and dated. Ecco Homo was printed by the artist on a fibrous wove Japanese paper in an unstated edition and the platemark measures 13-1/4 x 9 inches
Ecco homo, or behold the man, were the Latin words spoken by Pontius Pilate when
he presented Jesus to the hostile mob just prior to ordering his crucifixion,
according to the Gospel of John. The term has been used throughout Christian
art history to illustrate this scene in the cycle of the Passion of the Christ,
often highlighting his crown of thorns.
Sutton explores this religious theme through the lens of Abstract Expressionism, simplifying Christ's facial features with the use of aquatint and muted washes of colors - save for the crown, which vividly stands out from the composition. In most historical depictions of this scene, prior to the mid 20th century, Jesus is calm, with his glance cast downward toward his accusers; or, if he is alone, his expression is one of grief or contemplation. This image departs somewhat from this traditional imagery: fear, longing, and resignation could also be interpreted from his expression, lending a depth not normally touched upon by religious artists.
Marjorie Love Sutton was born Marjorie E. Love to John King and Magdalene Love in Easton, Pennsylvania on 17 November 1912. She attended the Easton Area High School but no other school affiliation has come to light. Her work in printmaking is so sophisticated that she had to have studied under very influential artists. By 1947, Marjorie Love was married to Jay Sutton and they lived for a time in Easton before moving to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. From the Cape they moved to Englewood, Florida and she was a member of the Sarasota and the Englewood Art Associations. Marjorie served as a juror for the Saratoga Art Association's 16th Southeastern Exhibition of Contemporary American Painters in 1955. In 1957, the Englewood Art Association hosted an exhibition of her prints and the oils of Jay Sutton. Records indicate that Jay Sutton started a career in real estate in Florida. In 1974 they moved to Sarasota, Florida and Marjorie E. Love Sutton died in Sarasota, Florida on 22 December 1974.
