Who painted Christ and the Woman of Samaria?

Christ and the Woman of Samaria was painted by Francesco Denanto in 1522.

Where can I see Christ and the Woman of Samaria?

Christ and the Woman of Samaria is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Christ and the Woman of Samaria?

Christ and the Woman of Samaria is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Christ and the Woman of Samaria

Francesco Denanto , 1522

Christ and the Woman of Samaria is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Francesco Denanto. It dates from 1522 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Francesco Denanto’s 1522 woodcut presents the biblical encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at a well. Executed as a single‑plate print, the image balances the two figures against a modest landscape of trees and distant structures, emphasizing the intimate dialogue that unfolds in the narrative.

Subject & Meaning

The composition captures the moment described in the Gospel of John, where Christ engages the woman in conversation about “living water.” The woman, shown holding a water‑bucket, stands opposite the seated Christ, whose calm posture invites contemplation of spiritual thirst and revelation.

Technique & Style

Denanto employed the traditional relief‑cut method, carving the design into a wood block and printing it in monochrome. The lines are crisp yet delicate, delineating the figures’ garments—a simple tunic for Christ and a flowing robe for the woman—while the surrounding foliage and architecture are rendered with restrained shading, characteristic of early Renaissance printmaking.

History & Provenance

Created in the early sixteenth century, the print reflects the growing demand for devotional images in Northern Italy. Though specific ownership records are scarce, copies of the woodcut have appeared in several private collections and museum holdings, indicating its circulation among collectors of religious prints.

Context

The work belongs to the broader Renaissance movement, during which artists increasingly explored biblical subjects through accessible media such as woodcuts. By translating a scriptural episode into a reproducible format, Denanto contributed to the spread of religious narratives beyond the confines of painted altarpieces.