Artwork
Christ and the Woman of Samaria
Christ and the Woman of Samaria is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Dirk Jacobsz Vellert. It dates from 1523 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Dirk Jacobsz Vellert’s 1523 engraving titled “Christ and the Woman of Samaria” presents a compact, monochrome scene centered on a well. The composition features two figures—a kneeling man in loose robes gesturing downward and a woman in a head covering leaning over a barrel while holding a jug—set against a modest landscape that includes trees and a distant ship.
Subject & Meaning
The print visualizes the biblical encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman, emphasizing the exchange of water as a metaphor for spiritual nourishment. The man’s downward gesture suggests the revelation of the living water, while the woman’s attentive posture and the presence of the well underscore the narrative’s focus on dialogue and conversion.
Technique & Style
Vellert employs fine, parallel lines to render texture and volume, a method known as cross‑hatching. This technique creates subtle gradations of tone, defining the folds of the garments, the stone of the well, and the surrounding foliage. The careful modulation of line density imparts depth within the limited black‑and‑white medium.
History & Provenance
Created in the early sixteenth century, the engraving reflects the Northern Renaissance’s interest in religious subjects for devotional prints. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work is attributed to Vellert, a Dutch artist active in the Haarlem region, and is catalogued among his known prints of biblical scenes.
Context
The image aligns with contemporary print culture that disseminated scriptural narratives to a broader audience. By translating a Gospel episode into an accessible visual format, Vellert contributed to the spread of reformist ideas and the growing demand for portable, affordable religious imagery during the period.
Artist & collection
![Christ and the Woman of Samaria [verso], by German 16th Century](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/german-16th-century--christ-and-the-woman-of-samaria-verso--b92a651572d4a24c-w320.webp)
