Barmhartige Samaritaan 1735 - 1797

Christian Bernhard Rode etched this depiction of the Good Samaritan, immortalizing a parable laden with profound symbols. The Samaritan, an outsider, embodies compassion, pouring oil, a balm of healing, onto the wounds of the traveler. This act transcends mere kindness. It echoes ancient rituals of anointing, a gesture of purification and renewal found across cultures from the Egyptians to the Greeks, where oil was sacred, a gift of the gods. The donkey, often overlooked, is a crucial symbol. It's a beast of burden, patience, and humility, bearing witness to the Samaritan's selfless act. Consider the 'Ecce Homo' motif – the presentation of Christ bound and suffering, a theme of human endurance. The Samaritan's tender care mirrors the Virgin Mary cradling the body of Christ, a universal symbol of empathy. The Good Samaritan resurfaces through time, evolving yet retaining its emotional core. It speaks to our collective memory, resonating with our subconscious understanding of suffering, redemption, and the enduring power of human compassion.