The Good Samaritan Paying the Innkeeper for the Care of the Wounded Man, from "The Parable of the Good Samaritan" 1554

Heinrich Aldegrever created this engraving, "The Good Samaritan Paying the Innkeeper," part of "The Parable of the Good Samaritan," sometime in the first half of the 16th century. The composition divides into distinct zones of action, setting up contrasts that drive the narrative. Observe how the left side bustles with figures and dynamic gestures as the Good Samaritan settles his account with the innkeeper. In contrast, the right side is dominated by the inn's architecture. Notice how Aldegrever contrasts the rigid geometry of the building with the vulnerable figure of the wounded man in the lower right corner, who is being cared for. Aldegrever uses these contrasting visual elements to explore themes of social responsibility and human compassion. The stark lines of the engraving lend a sharp, almost moralizing tone to the scene. The precise details in the figures' expressions invite us to consider the internal states and motivations of each character. The formal qualities of the print serve to underscore the parable's message, inviting ongoing reflection on how we interpret and embody its lessons in our own lives.