Artwork
Christ and the Woman of Samaria
Christ and the Woman of Samaria is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Rembrandt. It dates from 1659 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1659, this oil painting by Rembrandt van Rijn illustrates the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, a story from the Gospel of John. Executed during the Dutch Golden Age, the work is part of the Hermitage Museum’s collection and reflects the artist’s sustained interest in biblical subjects.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows the woman drawing water, her chain and bucket visible, while Jesus sits nearby, his hand raised in a gesture of speech. Their eyes meet, suggesting a moment of dialogue in which the woman is being invited to a deeper spiritual understanding, a theme often explored by Rembrandt through intimate, narrative encounters.
Technique & Style
Rembrandt employs his characteristic chiaroscuro, casting the figures in a strong light against a dark, cloud‑filled sky and distant architecture. The brushwork varies from smooth modeling on the faces to thicker impasto on the clothing, especially the orange dress, creating texture and emphasizing the tactile qualities of the scene.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the painting entered various private collections before being acquired by the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, where it remains on display. It forms part of the museum’s extensive holdings of 17th‑century Dutch art, illustrating the breadth of Rembrandt’s output, which also includes etchings and drawings.
Context
The work belongs to a period when Rembrandt frequently revisited New Testament episodes, using them to probe human emotion and moral insight. The Samaritan woman narrative offered a vehicle for portraying themes of compassion and revelation, aligning with the artist’s broader religious and philosophical concerns.
Artist & collection
Artist
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (15 July 1606 – 4 October 1669), known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman.
