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The Samaritan Pours Oil and Wine in the Wounds of a Man Left for Dead, by Sébastien Bourdon, ink, 1644

The Samaritan Pours Oil and Wine in the Wounds of a Man Left for Dead

Sébastien Bourdon

1644

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Dominant colour

Overview

The Samaritan Pours Oil and Wine in the Wounds of a Man Left for Dead is a 1644 ink by Sébastien Bourdon, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?
Sébastien Bourdon
When & what style?
1644 · Baroque
Where can I see it?
National Gallery of Art

About this work

This engraving shows a quiet, rocky scene by a road. A lone traveler lies wounded on the ground, while a figure kneels beside him, pouring liquid into his wounds. Nearby, a donkey stands still, and a small building sits in the background. Trees and hills frame the scene, with light clouds in the sky. The artist used fine lines to build up shadows and texture, especially on the rocks and clothing. This makes the scene feel detailed and real. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like Bourdon created depth with just ink and metal.

About the artist

Portrait of Sébastien Bourdon
Artist

Sébastien Bourdon

Sébastien Bourdon (French pronunciation: ; 2 February 1616 – 8 May 1671) was a French painter and engraver. His chef d'œuvre is The Crucifixion of St. Peter made for the cathedral of Notre Dame.

See the richer artist page

More by Sébastien Bourdon

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