ELISABETH OHLSON WALLIN. Photographic print, 1/2 ex. For Ecce Homo 1998.

The Annunciation for Ecce Homo 1998. 190x138 cm.
Ecce Homo (Latin for 'see man'[a]) is an exhibition of twelve photographs of various biblical situations, interpreted in a modern style by the photographer Elisabeth Ohlson Wallin. The exhibition was inaugurated in Stockholm in July 1998 and attracted attention even then. In connection with the screening in Uppsala Cathedral on 19 September 1998, a nationwide social debate arose.#1 Ecce Homo was perceived by many as controversial, and evoked strong and emotionally charged reactions, both positive and negative.

The photographs are all linked to Bible quotes and represent, in order: The Annunciation Luke 1:30–31, The Manger Luke 2:7, The Baptism of Jesus Luke 3:21–22, The Sermon Luke 23:13, The Entry into Jerusalem Luke 19:37 –40, The Last Supper Matt 26:26–28, The Kiss of Judas Matt 26:45–48, Jesus dignifies under the cross Mark 15:17–20, The Crucifixion Matt 27:45–46, Pietàn John 19:26, Jesus appears to the women Matt 28:9–10 and Heaven Matt 18:18. Many of the images are inspired by classic paintings and all are photographed in a modern environment. The photographer has deliberately used homosexual models and settings, to communicate the similarity between biblical and modern exclusion and to show God's all-encompassing love. In the picture The Last Supper, transvestites appear instead, as a comment on the fact that according to the Bible, Jesus often took meals together with outcasts.