Christ and the Woman of Samaria 1472 - 1553

Lucas Cranach the Elder rendered this woodcut of Christ and the Woman of Samaria. Note how the well is not merely a backdrop, but a symbol laden with meaning. Wells, since antiquity, have represented life, sustenance, and communal gathering points. Spiritually, they signify the depths of knowledge and revelation. But consider, how does this symbol echo across time? In classical mythology, sacred springs and wells were often associated with nymphs and divine encounters. Even today, the idea of wishing wells lingers in our cultural consciousness. Cranach transforms the well into a stage where the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman unfolds. This meeting itself is a subversion, a break from societal norms, laden with psychological tension. The act of drawing water becomes symbolic of spiritual nourishment, a concept that has flowed through centuries, constantly re-emerging, ever adapting.