Christ and the Sinner 1873

Vasily Polenov made this drawing, Christ and the Sinner, sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. The image captures a scene from the Gospel of John, where Jesus prevents the stoning of an adulterous woman. Polenov was part of a Russian artistic movement that sought to represent biblical scenes with historical accuracy. But this image is interesting because it is not only a religious subject, it is also a powerful statement about social justice. Polenov critiques the hypocrisy of the crowd, who are ready to condemn the woman while being sinners themselves. The figure of Christ is framed as a progressive figure who challenges social norms. To understand Polenov's intentions, scholars can research the historical context of the Russian Orthodox Church and the social reforms of the late 19th century. Understanding the image involves understanding the politics of imagery and the social conditions that shape artistic production. Art history is about how the meaning of art is always contingent on social and institutional context.