Christ and the Woman of Samaria (ca. 1510–12)
Original title: Christ standing at left addressing the Woman of Samaria at right who is standing by a well, lagoon in the background
kurzbeschreibung
Giulio Campagnola's engraving Christ at the Well with the Samaritan Woman was made around 1510–12 and measures 12 × 17 cm. It captures the biblical encounter at the well, with a lagoon opening up behind it.
Description
On the left stands Christ, one arm raised as he speaks, while the Samaritan woman sits on the right at the well, holding a bowl. A village with houses and a church, along with a lagoon, closes off the view at the back. The layout feels clear and architecturally structured; the figures wear traditional garments. Grays, shading, and linework give the image its monochrome character.
Context
Campagnola, an Italian engraver of the Renaissance, was active in Venice around 1510–12 and was among the first to refine copperplate engraving in Italy. The motif of the Samaritan woman at the well was common in the religious art of the period and often stood for the Christian message of salvation. His delicate linework shows the influence of Venetian painting.
Impact
Calm and nearly symmetrical, the print feels balanced and meditative. The restrained gray palette lends the scene something timeless, almost sculptural. Architecture and landscape are rendered in detail, creating a spatial depth that draws the viewer into the biblical narrative.
Technique
Lines are engraved into a copper plate and then printed on paper. Fine hatching and stippling create soft transitions and a sculptural modeling of the figures. This allows details such as clothing and architecture to be reproduced precisely, showing Campagnola's confident mastery of the medium.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)