Artwork

The Good Samaritan

The Good Samaritan, by Simon Francois Ravenet I, ink
The Good Samaritan, by Simon Francois Ravenet I, ink

The Good Samaritan is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Simon Francois Ravenet I. It is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Good Samaritan is a print created by Simon Francois Ravenet I in 1772, combining etching and engraving techniques.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a scene from the parable of the Good Samaritan, showing a wounded man being tended to by another, with a woman observing from a distance. The narrative conveys a message about kindness to strangers.

Technique & Style

Ravenet used fine lines to achieve deep shadows and textured surfaces, creating a sense of urgency and emotional depth. The combination of etching and engraving allowed for detailed rendering of the scene.

Context

The parable of the Good Samaritan was a well-known biblical story, making the subject matter familiar to the print's original audience.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.