The Parable of the Good Samaritan 1549

Maarten van Heemskerck’s etching, *The Parable of the Good Samaritan*, from 1549, depicts a scene from the New Testament. It shows the Samaritan, riding on horseback, carrying a wounded man. The Good Samaritan's act of compassion, in stark contrast to the indifference of the priest and Levite who passed by, is a cornerstone of Christian teaching. Van Heemskerck, a leading artist of the Northern Renaissance, was known for his detailed and expressive renderings. This etching is an excellent example of his skill in capturing both the physicality of the scene and its moral message.