Christus en de overspelige vrouw 1846 - 1855

Achille Martinet created this print of "Christus en de overspelige vrouw" sometime during his career in the 19th century. During this time, narratives of morality and religion often intersected with societal expectations, particularly for women. This print portrays a biblical scene where Jesus encounters a woman accused of adultery. Reflect on the visual dynamics at play here: the woman is hunched over, covering her face in shame. Meanwhile, Christ gestures peacefully, his face serene. Inscribed is the powerful declaration: "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." Martinet was working in a society steeped in rigid gender roles and moral judgements. Representations like these offered a lens through which to examine the era’s attitudes toward female transgression and the possibilities of forgiveness. The image, while rooted in religious text, speaks to broader themes of judgement, compassion, and the complexities of human experience. It subtly questions the righteousness of those quick to condemn, urging a pause for reflection before casting that first stone.