Artwork

Samariteanul milostiv ; pandant: Vindecarea orbului și pandant: Întoarcerea fiului risipitor

Johann Michael von Rosenbrunn Rottmayr-Rosenbrunn

Samariteanul milostiv ; pandant: Vindecarea orbului și pandant: Întoarcerea fiului risipitor is an unspecified painting by the Baroque artist Johann Michael von Rosenbrunn Rottmayr-Rosenbrunn. It is held in the collection of the Brukenthal National Museum. The work consists of three companion paintings that depict biblical narratives side by side.

About this work

Overview

The work consists of three companion paintings that depict biblical narratives side by side. Each canvas presents a distinct episode: the compassionate Samaritan assisting an injured traveler, the healing of a blind man, and the return of the prodigal son. They were created as a set intended to be displayed together.

Subject & Meaning

In the first scene, three figures transport a wounded wayfarer on a stretcher; one carries a jug, another readjusts the bundle, while a woman in blue observes. The second and third panels illustrate the miracle of restoring sight to a blind man and the reconciliation of a wayward son with his father, respectively, emphasizing themes of mercy, redemption and forgiveness.

Technique & Style

The paintings share a uniform visual language, likely employing the same palette, composition and brushwork to ensure cohesion across the trio. The figures are rendered with careful attention to gesture and attire, and the narrative details are arranged to guide the viewer’s eye through each story.

History & Provenance

These works were produced as a set by an artist whose style aligns with that of Johann Michael von Rosenbrunn, also known as Rottmayr‑Rosenbrunn. Their creation date is not specified, but they were intended for collective display, suggesting a patron’s commission for devotional or instructional purposes.

Context

The trio reflects a tradition of grouping biblical episodes to convey moral instruction, a practice common in post‑Reformation art. By juxtaposing acts of compassion, miraculous healing, and familial reconciliation, the series offers a visual meditation on Christian virtues.