Christus en de Samaritaanse vrouw 1724

Frederik Ottens created this print depicting "Christ and the Samaritan Woman" sometime between 1675 and 1775. This image captures a biblical narrative loaded with cultural and gendered significance. The encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well transcends a simple exchange; it challenges societal norms. As a Jewish man, Jesus would not have interacted with a Samaritan woman in public. The woman's presence at the well alone suggests her marginalized status. In the context of 17th- and 18th-century Europe, this narrative resonated with contemporary societal structures, marked by rigid gender roles and ethnic divisions. Ottens’ work invites us to reflect on the historical and ongoing dialogues around identity and social inclusion, urging a continued questioning of established norms.