The invention relates to a device for nondestructive ultrasonic testing of a workpiece, comprising a coating, which can be applied at least in sections to the surface of the workpiece and which has a contrast pattern varied at least one-dimensionally along the surface and varying temporally, and a light source for irradiating the coating with pulsing light so that when the light hits the coating,the light is absorbed according to the respectively spatially and temporally present contrast of the contrast pattern so that an ultrasonic field having a temporally varied direction of propagation and a temporally varied depth of focus can be excited in the workpiece.