Christ and the Woman of Samaria

Executed as a woodcut, the work relies on carved wooden blocks to produce bold lines and stark contrasts. Van Leyden’s handling of detail—such as the textured rope, the architectural silhouettes, and the delicate halo lettering—demonstrates his mastery of the medium and his ability to convey narrative depth within the limited tonal range of black-and-white printmaking.

Created in the early sixteenth century, the print reflects van Leyden’s reputation as one of the Netherlands’ foremost engravers and woodcutters. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work circulated among devotional prints of the period, contributing to the artist’s widespread influence across Northern Europe.

During a time when religious subjects dominated visual culture, van Leyden combined emerging genre sensibilities with traditional biblical themes. The depiction of everyday activity—a well, a town, passersby—situates the sacred narrative within a familiar setting, aligning with contemporary trends that sought to make holy stories accessible to a broader audience.