Roundel with Christ and the Adulterous Woman

Art Historical Context

This exquisite roundel captures the biblical story of Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery, a moment of mercy and moral reflection from the Gospel of John. Created around 1525 in the South Netherlands by the artist known as Pseudo-Ortkens, it reflects the vibrant artistic traditions of the early Renaissance in the Low Countries. The anonymous master, whose name suggests a follower of the Ortkens workshop, specialized in small-scale glass paintings that brought sacred narratives into intimate settings. Crafted from colorless glass with vitreous paint and silver stain, the roundel demonstrates a sophisticated technique popular in the period. Silver stain, applied and fired to produce luminous yellow tones, allowed artists to create glowing highlights and depth without the need for colored glass pieces. At just under nine inches across, such works were often installed in domestic windows or chapel screens, making biblical stories accessible to everyday viewers. As part of the Metropolitan Museum’s Cloisters collection, this piece highlights the enduring appeal of stained glass as both devotional art and storytelling medium during the Reformation era. Its delicate execution invites close contemplation of themes of forgiveness and human frailty.