Who painted Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery?

Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery was painted by Jacques Callot in 1635.

Where can I see Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery?

Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery?

Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery?

Museum-quality prints of Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery

Jacques Callot , 1635

Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1635 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Jacques Callot’s 1635 etching *Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery* presents a bustling courtyard scene in which a kneeling woman is surrounded by a restless crowd. The composition places armed men on the right, a disputatious group in the centre, and architectural arches in the distance, creating a sense of imminent judgment within a compact, narrative space.

Subject & Meaning

The print visualises the biblical episode in which Jesus confronts those ready to stone an accused adulteress. By depicting the tension of the assembled onlookers and the woman’s humbled posture, Callot emphasizes themes of mercy, moral authority, and the clash between public condemnation and divine compassion.

Technique & Style

Executed in etching on laid paper, the work relies on precise, incisive lines that convey the kinetic energy of the crowd. Callot’s characteristic attention to detail renders individual gestures and architectural elements, while the contrast of dense foreground figures against a more open background reflects Baroque interests in drama and spatial depth.

History & Provenance

Born circa 1592 in Lorraine, Callot produced more than 1,400 etchings that document a wide range of contemporary subjects, from military life to religious narratives. This particular print belongs to his series of devotional images and has circulated among collectors of early modern prints, appearing in several European collections before entering its present museum holding.