The Woman Taken in Adultery 1811

"The Woman Taken in Adultery" is a painting by John Trumbull, a prominent American artist of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This 1811 painting depicts a scene from the New Testament, where Jesus confronts the religious leaders who brought a woman accused of adultery to him. The painting captures the drama and tension of the moment as Jesus protects the woman from judgment with his powerful presence. Trumbull's use of chiaroscuro, with strong contrasts of light and shadow, enhances the emotional weight of the scene. The composition is dynamic, with the figures arranged in a pyramid shape that draws the viewer's eye to Jesus, who stands at the apex.