Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery 1917

"Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery" is a 1917 oil painting by Max Beckmann, currently on display at the Saint Louis Art Museum. Beckmann, a German Expressionist, depicts the biblical scene with an intensely emotional and somewhat grotesque style. The figures are distorted, their faces contorted, and their poses unnatural. The painting's composition is chaotic, reflecting the turmoil of the event and the societal judgments leveled against the woman. Beckmann’s work is characterized by a stark and dramatic style, often reflecting his own experiences during World War I and the turbulent political climate of his time.