Who painted The Good Samaritan?

The Good Samaritan was painted by Vincent van Gogh in 1890.

Where can I see The Good Samaritan?

The Good Samaritan is held by Kröller-Müller Museum.

What movement is The Good Samaritan?

The Good Samaritan is associated with Post-Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of The Good Samaritan?

Museum-quality prints of The Good Samaritan are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Good Samaritan

Vincent van Gogh , 1890

The Good Samaritan is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Kröller-Müller Museum.

About this work

Overview

Vincent van Gogh’s 1890 oil painting titled The Good Samaritan is part of the collection at the Kröller‑Müller Museum. The work presents a narrative scene rendered in the artist’s characteristic vigorous brushwork and vivid palette, focusing on a solitary figure on horseback.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure, a man in a yellow tunic and blue trousers, holds a red bowl while riding a horse. His facial expression and outstretched arms convey urgency, suggesting an act of assistance consistent with the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan, though the composition emphasizes movement over explicit storytelling.

Technique & Style

Van Gogh employs thick, visible strokes that create a textured surface, allowing the yellow, blue, and green background hues to pulse beneath the figures. The dynamic twist of the rider’s torso and the horse’s bent legs amplify a sense of kinetic energy, while the bold color contrasts heighten emotional intensity.

History & Provenance

Painted in the final year of van Gogh’s life, The Good Samaritan entered the Kröller‑Müller Museum’s holdings, a collection noted for its extensive representation of the artist’s late works. The museum acquired the piece as part of its effort to assemble a comprehensive overview of van Gogh’s oeuvre.