Who painted The Good Samaritan?

The Good Samaritan was painted by Jacob Jordaens in 1616.

Where can I see The Good Samaritan?

The Good Samaritan is held by Louvre Abu Dhabi.

What movement is The Good Samaritan?

The Good Samaritan is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Artwork

The Good Samaritan

Jacob Jordaens , 1616

The Good Samaritan is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Jacob Jordaens. It dates from 1616 and is held in the collection of the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

About this work

Overview

The composition is set against a landscape of trees and a cloud‑filled sky, populated by onlookers who observe the act of aid.

Jacob Jordaens’ oil painting *The Good Samaritan* (1616) presents a dynamic biblical scene in which a wounded figure is lifted onto the back of a sturdy horse by a compassionate rescuer. The composition is set against a landscape of trees and a cloud‑filled sky, populated by onlookers who observe the act of aid. The work exemplifies the dramatic narrative quality typical of early 17th‑century Flemish Baroque.

Subject & Meaning

The image visualises the parable from the Gospel of Luke, in which a Samaritan aids an injured traveler while others pass by. Jordaens emphasizes the moral contrast between the caring Samaritan—shown shirtless, wrapped in a blue cloth—and the indifferent bystanders, underscoring themes of charity, humility, and the overturning of social prejudice.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on canvas, the painting displays Jordaens’ vigorous brushwork and a palette of reds, greens, browns, and luminous whites. The artist employs chiaroscuro, creating strong light‑dark contrasts that model the figures and give depth to the landscape. Visible strokes add texture, while the rendering of the white horse’s flowing mane contributes to the overall sense of movement.

History & Provenance

Created shortly after Jordaens established himself as a leading Flemish painter following the deaths of Rubens and Van Dyck, *The Good Samaritan* entered the collection of the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Its presence in the museum reflects the broader appreciation of Jordaens’ religious and allegorical oeuvre within international public holdings.