Christ and the Women Sinners, plate thirteen from A Life 1884

Max Klinger created this etching, "Christ and the Women Sinners," as part of a series called "A Life," sometime before 1920. The print depicts a biblical scene in which Christ prevents the stoning of women accused of sin, but Klinger sets it in his own time, the late 19th century. The artist was German, and his work often reflected the anxieties of a rapidly industrializing society. Here, the inclusion of contemporary dress and setting suggests that the moral and social issues of biblical times are still relevant. The sharp contrasts and detailed rendering, typical of etching, emphasize the tension between the figures. The aggressive men contrast with the vulnerable women, while Christ stands apart, radiating compassion. To truly appreciate Klinger's work, one can delve into studies of 19th-century German culture, examining the role of religion and social reform movements. The context of its time reveals how this image challenged societal norms and questioned the institutions of moral authority.