Den barmhjertige samaritan 1917

Joakim Skovgaard created "The Good Samaritan," currently at the SMK, employing strokes which give the image a sense of form. The somber grayscale palette evokes a feeling of gravity, highlighting the vulnerable state of the figure lying at the painting's center. The composition guides our attention to the main figures, where Skovgaard uses contrast to differentiate the textures and forms: the rough, detailed rendering of the Samaritan's garments juxtaposed against the smoother, idealized body of the injured man. The placement of the donkey, half in shadow, and the riders in the background, create a receding depth, suggesting the landscape's indifference to individual suffering. Skovgaard destabilizes traditional religious art with an emphasis on humanistic elements. By exploring the formal qualities, we understand it reflects not just a biblical narrative, but also a broader philosophical inquiry into the nature of compassion and societal values. The brushstrokes invite continuous interpretation, challenging fixed meanings and engaging with new ways of understanding.