Artwork
Christ and the Woman of Samaria
Christ and the Woman of Samaria is a print by Luigi Fabri. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The print portrays the biblical encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at a well.
About this work
Overview
The print portrays the biblical encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at a well. Rendered in black‑and‑white on paper, the composition centers on two figures beside a stone basin, with a distant landscape of trees and a town visible behind them. Light and shadow define the forms, emphasizing the intimate dialogue.
Subject & Meaning
In the scene, the male figure, identified as Christ by his halo and robes, leans forward to converse with the woman, who holds a water bucket and a cloth draped over her shoulder. The gesture and posture suggest a moment of spiritual exchange, reflecting the Gospel narrative in which Jesus offers living water to the Samaritan.
Technique & Style
The artist employs chiaroscuro, contrasting deep blacks with illuminated areas to model the figures and suggest depth. The linear treatment of the well and the surrounding architecture is balanced by softer, atmospheric rendering of the distant trees and sky, creating a harmonious blend of detail and suggestion typical of early modern printmaking.
History & Provenance
The image is a derivative of a composition originally painted by Guido Reni, an Italian Baroque master. The print reproduces Reni’s design, adapting his composition for a paper medium. It is part of the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it is displayed for public viewing.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Luigi Fabri made religious prints in late 18th- to early 19th-century Italy. His engraving Christ and the Woman of Samaria shows a quiet moment from the Bible, with soft lines and warm lighting. These prints were meant…
- Christ and the Woman of Samaria
Christ and the Woman of Samaria
Christ and the Woman of Samaria
Christ and the woman of Samaria
Christ and the Woman of Samaria: An Arched Print
Christ and the woman of Samaria
Christ and the Woman of Samaria
Christ and the Woman of Samaria
Christ and the Woman of Samaria: an Arched Print
