The Good Samaritan 1630 - 1690

David Teniers the Younger made this small painting on copper, sometime in the 17th century. Copper was a common support for oil paintings at this time, its smooth, hard surface allowing for meticulous detail. Look closely, and you'll see how Teniers has exploited this quality, rendering the scene with remarkable precision. The copper's warmth also subtly influences the painting's overall tone, creating a rich, luminous effect. Teniers was Flemish, and he specialized in genre scenes and landscapes, often depicting everyday life. This painting, however, illustrates a New Testament parable. The choice of copper, typically used for smaller, more precious works, elevates the subject matter, lending it a sense of importance. Yet, the scene is also grounded in the everyday through the artist's careful handling of materials. The figures' clothing, the texture of the donkey's fur, and the leaves on the trees, all rendered with a keen eye for detail. Ultimately, it’s the fusion of material, making, and subject matter that gives this painting its enduring appeal, inviting us to reflect on the intersection of the ordinary and the divine.