Jesus and the adulteress by Rembrandt 

Rembrandt van Rijn, a Dutch artist, created "Jesus and the adulteress" using pen and ink, at an unknown date. In this piece, Rembrandt captures a powerful biblical moment, steeped in the social and religious norms of 17th-century Europe. The story depicts a woman accused of adultery being brought before Jesus. According to religious law, her accusers believed she should be stoned to death, but Jesus challenges them by saying, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." Here, Rembrandt illustrates a narrative deeply entangled with societal views on gender and morality, highlighting themes of judgment, hypocrisy, and divine mercy. Notice the expressions and postures of the figures, each revealing their stance in this charged scene. The woman, head bowed in shame, represents the vulnerability of those marginalized by society. Rembrandt uses the scene to invite reflection on how moral judgements are often shaped by those in power, underscoring the complex relationship between law, ethics, and individual conscience.