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Christ and the Adulteress

ca. 1545–50
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 537
This small picture illustrates the biblical passage in which a woman accused of adultery—an offense punishable by death in Mosaic law—is brought before Christ. He responds to her accusers with the words written across the top of the painting: "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her" (John 8:7). Among the many variants of the subject that were made in Cranach’s workshop, this panel is unusual because it most likely formed a pair with Christ Blessing the Children, displayed to the left.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Christ and the Adulteress
  • Artist: Lucas Cranach the Younger and Workshop (German, Wittenberg 1515–1586 Wittenberg)
  • Date: ca. 1545–50
  • Medium: Oil on beech
  • Dimensions: 6 1/4 x 8 1/2 in. (15.9 x 21.6 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: The Jack and Belle Linsky Collection, 1982
  • Object Number: 1982.60.35
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

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Christ Blessing the Children, Lucas Cranach the Younger and Workshop German, Oil on beech
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Shield for the Field or Tournament (Targe)
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ca. 1450
The Judgment of Paris, Lucas Cranach the Elder German, Oil on beech
The Judgment of Paris
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Hercules and Achelous, Master of the Martyrdom of St. Sebastian Austrian, Ivory, probably Austrian
Hercules and Achelous
Attributed to the Master of the Martyrdom of St. Sebastian
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Copy of John Frederic the Magnanimous, in Electoral Robes, Lucas Cranach the Younger and Workshop German, Woodcut; second state of two (Hollstein)
Copy of John Frederic the Magnanimous, in Electoral Robes
Lucas Cranach the Younger and Workshop

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