"The Good Samaritan" by the School of Rembrandt van Rijn Dutch, 1606-1669, is a dynamic mid-17th century drawing that exemplifies the high technical standards of the Dutch Golden Age. Created between 1645 and 1655, the work utilizes pen and brown ink combined skillfully with brush and brown wash applied to cream laid paper. This specific medium allows for expressive line work and dramatic tonal variation, techniques central to the visual language pioneered by 1606-1669.
The composition captures the powerful Biblical parable, focusing on the moment of aid where the Samaritan tends to the robbed and wounded traveler. The sophisticated deployment of brown wash creates a palpable atmosphere, using shadow to intensify the drama and light to highlight the central humanitarian action. Such preparatory and finished drawings demonstrate the rapid and authoritative draftsmanship characteristic of the artists working in the orbit of Rembrandt's studio in the Netherlands.
This piece stands as a significant record of the master's lasting influence on European drawing. As part of its extensive collection of Old Master works, this drawing is housed in the Art Institute of Chicago. Reflecting its historical importance, digital prints of this work are often made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring continued scholarly access and appreciation.
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