The Good Samaritan 1870

Gustave Moreau painted *The Good Samaritan* sometime during his career in late 19th-century France. Moreau was a symbolist painter, and this piece reflects the movement's interest in spirituality and morality. The painting depicts a scene from the Bible where a Samaritan man helps a stranger in need, illustrating themes of compassion. The painting's figures are set against a stark, rocky landscape which emphasizes the emotional intensity of the encounter. It draws on biblical stories to engage with themes of identity, as the Samaritan, part of a marginalized group, becomes the moral center of the narrative. This painting asks us to consider how our identities shape our responses to those in need, and to reflect on the power of compassion in a divided world.