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Notes
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A woman weeps on the steps of a shadowy temple, while members of the Jewish ruling council gather round. Afraid of Christ’s popular preaching, they planned to trick him into transgressing the Jewish law. They said to him: ‘Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. What do you say about her?’ This is the moment of decision that could entrap the young preacher. A man puts his finger to his lips as if hushing the crowd. Will Christ plead for mercy or will he uphold the law? It seems that either way, he will be condemned as well as the woman. His reply became one of the most famous quotations in the history of Christianity: ‘He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
Title
The Woman taken in Adultery
Date
1644
Medium
Oil on oak
Measurements
H 83.8 x W 65.4 cm
Accession number
NG45
Acquisition method
Bought, 1824
Work type
Painting
The National Gallery, London
Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England
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