“The Adulterous Woman—Christ Writing upon the Ground”..........looks like a bench seat..................
Yep
Very interesting.
One of those long time 'topics of debate' in religious circles is *what* he may have been writing on the ground [γη - earth, soil], a word which isn't used for "field".
Yet Tissot’s depiction appears to be some kind of bench or step platform, as though the ground wasn't the soil but rather a writing field.
If the bench wasn't covered in soil, nothing of the writing would have been 'visible.'
Yet in the midst of the questions and theories is the simple meaning that connects the word to the account and the various debates:
"What on earth was he writing?!"
The writing surface become immaterial, but then again, the painting inspires as-is because...
What's the usual scenario for when a seat has something written on it? It's a very important event. The special seats have the paper taped on them that says, "Reserved".
Those not worthy get the message and know to walk away. 🤔