Den barmhjertige samaritan ledsager den sårede 1810 - 1873

Wilhelm Marstrand rendered this ink drawing, titled 'The Good Samaritan Accompanies the Wounded Man,' sometime in the 19th century. The central motif, a man aiding another atop a donkey, carries echoes of ancient virtue. Consider how such a scene pervades cultural memory, reminiscent of Christ's entry into Jerusalem – a symbol of compassion and humble service. Yet, the Samaritan is not a king, but a figure of social marginality, one who transcends prejudice to act humanely. The act of lifting, of burden-sharing, appears throughout art history. It conjures images of Aeneas carrying his father from Troy, or even classical depictions of filial piety. These echoes form a chain reaction, a living testament to the enduring human need for empathy. Here, Marstrand taps into something primal: the shared, subconscious desire for aid, for rescue. The symbol of the Good Samaritan persists, resurfacing in our collective consciousness. This resonates beyond mere religious instruction; it speaks to the very core of what it means to be human, continually prompting introspection and action across time.