A sixteenth-century hand-coloured woodcut by Dutch artist Doen Pietersz., depicting the biblical scene of Pontius Pilate washing his hands.

This hand-coloured woodcut depicts the biblical scene of Pontius Pilate washing his hands, a gesture symbolising his refusal to accept responsibility for the crucifixion of Jesus. The work is attributed to the Dutch printer and publisher Doen Pietersz., who was active in Amsterdam during the early sixteenth century. The composition follows the conventions of Northern Renaissance book illustration, where narrative clarity takes precedence over spatial depth.

In the foreground, Pilate stands in a long, flowing robe, his hands positioned over a basin held by an attendant. The scene is crowded with figures, including soldiers and onlookers, whose varied headgear and garments reflect the period's interest in contemporary fashion. The woodcut technique is characterised by bold, decisive outlines that define the figures and architectural elements. The application of colour, likely added by hand shortly after the printing process, provides a sense of visual distinction between the characters, with deep reds, blues, and greens creating a clear separation of forms.

As a piece of early printed material, this work offers a glimpse into the dissemination of religious imagery in the Netherlands during the Reformation era. The print is contained within a book format, as evidenced by the page margins and the adjacent leather binding visible in the frame. The style is typical of the period's woodcut tradition, which favoured expressive gestures and clear, readable narratives for a broad audience. The artist employs a flat, ornamental approach to the composition, ensuring that the primary action remains the focus of the viewer's attention. This print is a representative example of the small-scale, portable religious art that circulated widely in the sixteenth century, serving both devotional and educational purposes for those who owned or accessed such volumes.