×

Image filter options
This is a new website and is still being developed.
Explore Cynfas Articles Learn
About Us NCAGW Contact Us
cy
EXPLORE CYNFAS ARTICLES LEARN ABOUT US NCAGW CONTACT US
Back

Pilate washing his hands

JONES, David

© Estate of David Jones. All Rights Reserved 2025/Bridgeman Images/Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
×

David Jones was a pioneering figure in early 20th century art and poetry. He served on the front-line during World War One from 1915 to 1918 and this period had a profound impact on his work; most notably his epic poem In Parenthesis, published in 1937. Jones also converted to Catholicism shortly after the war, in 1921. Here, he depicts a scene from the Bible where the Roman governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate, orders Jesus’ execution. As in the Medieval art tradition, Jones has shown Pilate washing his hands of guilt for Jesus' death. This was a far less common subject matter within modern art. The work also references his experience of World War One with the inclusion of the soldiers. Jones produced several important religious works in this period.


We have a duty of care to all our audiences. This website draws on legacy collections data. We recognise that some of this information may be outdated or discriminatory and we're currently working to review our records. If you have any questions or comments on an artwork, please contact us.

Details

Collection

Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales

Item Number

NMW A 2770

Creation/Production

JONES, David
Date: 1922

Acquisition

Purchase, 11/2/1969

Measurements

Height (cm): 21.6
Width (cm): 22.6
Height (in): 8
Width (in): 8
(): h(cm) sight size:20.7 (verso)
(): h(cm)
(): w(cm) sight size:22
(): w(cm)
(): h(in) sight size:8 1/8
(): h(in)
(): w(in) sight size:8 3/4
(): w(in)

Techniques

watercolour and pencil on paper

Material

pencil
watercolour
Paper

Location

In store
More

Tags

  • Fashion And Costume
  • Fine Art
  • Jesus Christ
  • Jones, David
  • Male Figure
  • Military Uniform
  • People
  • Religion And Belief
  • Soldier
  • War And Conflict
  • Watercolour
  • Works On Paper
  • World War I

Share

Comments are currently unavailable. We apologise for the inconvenience.

More like this

Frontispiece for "In Parenthesis"
Frontispiece for "In Parenthesis"
JONES, David
© Estate of David Jones. All Rights Reserved 2025/Bridgeman Images/Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
Christ Mocked
Christ Mocked
DÜRER, Albrecht
© Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
L is for Life guardsman
The Town Child's Alphabet
JONES, David
© Estate of David Jones. All Rights Reserved 2025/Bridgeman Images/Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
The Balloon
The balloon
NEVINSON, C.R.W
© Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
Firing a field gun
Firing a field gun
SPENCER PRYSE, Gerard
© Gerald Spencer Pryse/Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
Studies for 'Mametz Wood'
Studies for 'Mametz Wood'
WILLIAMS, Christopher
© Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
Splendid Victory - close up
Splendid victory
PAULUS, Pierre
© DACS 2025/Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
Study for 'Tank in Action'
Study for 'Tank in Action'
BRANGWYN, Sir Frank William
© Estate of Sir Frank William Brangwyn. All Rights Reserved 2025/Bridgeman Images/Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
Study for the tank
Study for the tank
BRANGWYN, Sir Frank William
© Estate of Sir Frank William Brangwyn. All Rights Reserved 2025/Bridgeman Images/Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
Study for 'The Tank'
Study for 'The Tank'
BRANGWYN, Sir Frank William
© Estate of Sir Frank William Brangwyn. All Rights Reserved 2025/Bridgeman Images/Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
Vimy
Vimy
BRANGWYN, Sir Frank William
© Estate of Sir Frank William Brangwyn. All Rights Reserved 2025/Bridgeman Images/Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
Soldiers on a road
Soldiers on a road
SPENCER PRYSE, Gerard
© Gerald Spencer Pryse/Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
British Indians in the grounds of a French Chateau
British Indians in the grounds of a French Chateau
SPENCER PRYSE, Gerard
© Gerald Spencer Pryse/Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
Soldiers by shore
Soldiers by shore
HOWARD-JONES, Ray
© Nicola Howard-Jones/Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
Retreat of the 7th Div and the 3rd Cavalry at Ypres
Retreat of the 7th Div and the 3rd cavalry at Ypres
SPENCER PRYSE, Gerard
© Gerald Spencer Pryse/Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
Trench near Mametz Wood
Trench near Mametz Wood
BONE, Muirhead
© Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
Ecce Homo - The presentation of Christ
Ecce Homo - The presentation of Christ
DÜRER, Albrecht
© Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
Soldiers in a car talking to some women
Soldiers in a car talking to some women
SPENCER PRYSE, Gerard
© Gerald Spencer Pryse/Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
Soldiers seated and parading in front of a ruined house
Soldiers seated and parading in front of a ruined house
SPENCER PRYSE, Gerard
© Gerald Spencer Pryse/Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
Tailpiece for "In Parenthesis"
Tailpiece for "In Parenthesis"
JONES, David
© Estate of David Jones. All Rights Reserved 2025/Bridgeman Images/Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales

CELF AR Y CYD

  • Explore
  • Cynfas Articles
  • Learn

THE WEBSITE

  • About Us
  • Accessibility
  • NCAGW
  • FAQ
  • Copyright
  • Cookies Policy

CONNECT WITH US

  • Contact Us
  • Instagram @celfarycyd
× ❮ ❯