The Good Samaritan

The Good Samaritan by Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn), dated 1633, is a powerful example of the artist's early mastery of printmaking. Classified as a print, the work was executed primarily in etching, with the strategic addition of engraving and drypoint to achieve richer textural depth and stronger contrasts. This impression represents the fourth and final state, demonstrating Rembrandt’s meticulous process of iteration and refinement as he developed the visual narrative. The piece is centered around the famous biblical Parable of the Good Samaritan, capturing the pivotal moment the Samaritan brings the injured traveler to an Inn for respite and care.

The detailed composition transforms the sacred subject into a dynamic scene of 17th-century life. Figures of men are crowded around the entrance of the Inn, emphasizing the chaos and urgency of the arrival, while onlookers observe from the balcony and steps. A horse is positioned centrally, being led toward a well. Various figures, including a boy drawing water, populate the foreground, with a dog observing the activity near the building. Rembrandt utilized dramatic handling of light and shadow, characteristic of the Baroque style, to heighten the emotional intensity of the narrative and focus the viewer’s attention on the crucial action.

While based on a foundational religious text, this piece functions effectively as an engaging genre study of common activity. This renowned print resides in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As one of Rembrandt's significant early etchings, dating just after his establishment in Amsterdam, this image remains widely studied. Because the work is in the public domain, high-quality reproductions of these early prints allow scholars worldwide to examine the technical brilliance of Rembrandt's intricate and masterful linework.