The Good Samaritan 1854 - 1857

Curator: This is Jules Joseph Augustin Laurens' print of "The Good Samaritan," part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It feels so immediate; the stark contrast captures the raw desperation of the moment, highlighting that burden. Curator: The image clearly references the biblical parable, resonating with themes of social responsibility and empathy. It’s worth remembering the historical context of this story, where the Samaritan, an outsider, becomes the compassionate hero. Editor: Absolutely, and I think the artist really wants us to consider who is seen as worthy of care and who is not. The injured man's vulnerability is laid bare. Curator: It invites viewers to contemplate the social hierarchies, the systemic neglect, and the potential for individual acts of kindness. Editor: The print reminds us that challenging those hierarchies is still necessary. Curator: A powerful visual representation of an enduring message. Editor: It definitely is, and I'll be thinking about this image long after leaving the museum.