Christ and the Woman taken in Adultery
- Artist: Pieter Bruegel the Elder
- Date: 1565
- Medium: oil on panel
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the “Christ and the Woman taken in Adultery” by Pieter Bruegel the Elder. Painted in 1565 with oil on panel, the work is a masterful example of grisaille—Bruegel used only shades of grey, punctuated by white highlights. The limited palette lets the subtle play of light and shadow pull you into the moment.
On the stone steps of the Temple of Jerusalem, a crowd gathers, poised to stone a woman accused of adultery. Christ steps forward, halting the execution, and writes in the dust, “He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone.” The gesture and the inscription become a quiet plea for tolerance, resonating with the political and religious turbulence of the Low Countries at the time.
Bruegel’s deft strokes give life to the crowd—no single figure dominates, but the collective tension is palpable. The subdued greys encourage a contemplative mood, inviting viewers to reflect rather than rush. Such works were highly prized among Bruegel’s contemporaries, who appreciated his technical skill and moral depth. The painting remains a powerful reminder of compassion in a world of judgment.
See it in person
Christ and the Woman taken in Adultery hangs in The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
