The painting is from Munkácsyʼs renowned “Christ Trilogy”. The state has owned “Ecce Homo!” for a number of years and recently acquired “Christ Before Pilate”, another of the trilogy, from Canadaʼs Art Gallery of Hamilton for $5.7 mln, with funding from the National Bank of Hungaryʼs program to buy national art treasures.

Gerhardt told state news channel M1 that the maximum amount the state is willing to pay for the painting is based on three appraisals, all made by Hungarians who are top experts in their field, he added.