The Woman taken in Adultery by Guercino

April 5th 2025

“The Woman taken in Adultery”, Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri)

c.1621, Dulwich Picture Gallery

Giovanni Francesco Barbieri was known as Guercino because of a squint

in one of his eyes. But obviously, with his good eye, he made up any

lack in his sight. In this work he captures that moment when the

woman who was caught in the act of adultery was made to stand in

shame before everyone. He adopts a half-length format to keep the

figures in close proximity to the viewer. Although these the figures look

so natural, they must have been very carefully posed. Caravaggio had

carefully posed his figures too and often had used a half-length format

to achieve this close up view point. Think of the famous betrayal of

Christ. However, it is unlikely that at the time Guercino painted this

work he had ever seen any of Caravaggio’s paintings. Here Jesus stands

beside the woman as her supporter and stares intently at the Pharisee

as if he can see into his soul. By far the most expressive element in this

work is the array of hands which in themselves convey the whole story.

The use of hands to express the drama is even more apt when you

consider that some of those present were ready to pick up stones to

throw at her. The Pharisee whom Jesus confronts is closest to the viewer

and he would probably be the first to throw a stone. Although he faces

away and remains anonymous, his hands are at the centre and the light

catches them. It looks like he is attempting to teach Jesus. The light

also catches the woman’s hands. They are pale in contrast with those of

the soldier who grasps her sleeve so roughly. She holds her hands

together, looking downward as if resigned to her fate. Little does she

know that Jesus is about to turn her whole situation around. Soon Jesus

will bend down and write on the ground with the finger of his hand,

and, then in truth, his mercy will prevail. The woman will be free to go.

The Woman taken in Adultery by Guercino