Christus en de Samaritaanse vrouw 1580

Agostino Carracci created this print, Christus en de Samaritaanse vrouw, in the late 16th century. This work provides a window into the social stratifications of the time, where encounters were shaped by intersecting gender, religious and cultural identities. The image portrays a biblical episode where Christ meets a Samaritan woman at a well. Samaritans occupied a marginalized position within Jewish society. The encounter between Christ and the Samaritan woman transcends social barriers. The fact that Christ, a Jewish man, engages with a Samaritan woman challenges traditional representations and offers an alternative narrative of inclusivity. The woman's posture suggests both caution and curiosity, reflecting the vulnerability of her position as a woman and a member of a despised group. Through this representation, Carracci invites us to reflect on the emotional and personal dimensions of encountering the ‘other,’ and it shapes a societal shift toward recognizing shared humanity beyond constructed divisions.