“Christ and the Adulteress” is a religious painting by Lucas Cranach the Elder, completed in 1520 in Germany. This artwork, rendered in oil on panel, belongs to the Northern Renaissance art movement. It measures 80.6 by 108.2 centimeters and is presently housed in the Fränkische Galerie in Kronach, Germany.
The artwork depicts a poignant biblical scene in which Christ intervenes in the condemnation of an adulterous woman. Central to the composition is Christ, depicted with a serene and compassionate demeanor, raising his hand in a gesture that suggests both blessing and admonition. To his right stands the adulteress, her expression a mix of anxiety and hope. The surrounding figures are a contingent of stern-faced accusers, garbed in a variety of rich historical attire, who appear in heated discussion. Cranach’s masterful use of color, detailed textures, and expressive facial features converge to convey a dramatic and emotionally charged moment, capturing the tension and consequential mercy inherent in the narrative. The background features an architectural framework, enhancing the solemnity and gravity of the depicted event.
