Le Christ et La Samaritaine (Christ and the Samaritan Woman) 1839 - 1885

Rodolphe Bresdin's print presents Christ and the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, a scene rich with symbolic undertones. Water, the sustainer of life, is central, representing not just physical sustenance but spiritual renewal. The well, often a site of revelation, links this encounter to broader narratives of transformation. We can trace the motif of drawing water from the well back through medieval allegories, where it symbolizes baptism and purification. In antiquity, wells were associated with goddesses and sacred springs, reflecting a deep human connection to water as a source of life and wisdom. Notice the subtle emotional exchange—the woman's cautious curiosity, Christ's gentle knowing. These gestures are carefully choreographed, drawing upon centuries of artistic tradition to convey complex inner states. Consider how the simple act of offering water, a universal symbol of hospitality and life, can transcend time and culture, repeatedly resurfacing to carry new layers of meaning.