The Good Samaritan

"The Good Samaritan," created by Rembrandt van Rijn Dutch, 1606-1669 in 1633, is a superb example of the artist's early mastery of printmaking. Classified as a print, the work utilizes the demanding techniques of etching and burin on ivory laid paper. This medium was fundamental to Rembrandt’s output, allowing him to circulate his interpretations of religious and secular subjects widely across the Netherlands.

Rembrandt executed this complex scene early in his career while actively innovating within the Amsterdam art market. Unlike many of his contemporary etchers, Rembrandt frequently combined etching, which provided the freedom for preliminary sketching and overall tonal depth, with the burin, a sharp, precise tool used for defining contours and creating rich, dark cross-hatching. This technical duality was essential to achieving the dramatic effects of light and shadow that define the composition, characteristic of the period’s dramatic Baroque sensibility.

The subject illustrates the well-known parable from the Gospel of Luke (10:25-37), detailing the pivotal moment the injured traveler is helped by the Samaritan. The composition focuses on the busy inn yard, where the Samaritan is seen lifting the wounded man from his horse, while attendants and various bystanders look on. Rembrandt’s treatment emphasizes the emotional intensity of the aid being rendered, foregrounding the act of compassion over the historical details of the setting.

As one of the most celebrated prints produced by Rembrandt during this fertile period, the image has been widely studied for its narrative intensity and technical brilliance. The original impression resides in the distinguished permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Due to its age and cultural significance, high-quality reproductions of this 1633 masterwork are often found within the public domain, securing its status as a cornerstone of Dutch graphic arts.