The Praemium Erasmianum Foundation has awarded the 2026 Erasmus Prize to Steve McQueen. The theme of this year’s Prize is Ecce Homo, Behold the Human Being.

In a statement released today, the awarding body has said of the decision: “McQueen is known for exploring who we are in moments of vulnerability, how we treat each other, and how history shapes our present, without judgment nor fear of moral complexity. This humanist approach resonates deeply with the spirit of Desiderius Erasmus. In his writings, Erasmus encouraged people to question injustice while never letting go of empathy and humanity. Steve McQueen continues that tradition in visual form.”

The Erasmus Prize is an annual award given to individuals or institutions that have made an exceptional contribution to culture or scholarship. The Patron of the Foundation, His Majesty the King of the Netherlands, presents the Prize during a ceremony that usually takes place at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.