De barmhartige Samaritaan helpt de gewonde reiziger 1694 - 1737

Pieter van den Berge created this print, "The Good Samaritan Helping the Injured Traveler," sometime between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The print visualizes a story from the Gospel of Luke, where a Samaritan, a member of a marginalized group, helps a Jewish man who has been robbed and left for dead. Van den Berge lived during a time when the Dutch Republic was a major center for trade and cultural exchange. But also, a society marked by religious tensions and social hierarchies. The choice to depict this particular biblical scene speaks to the complex dynamics of identity and compassion. The Samaritan's act challenges traditional representations by showing empathy across social divides. It suggests an alternative narrative where humanity and kindness transcend the boundaries of race, class, and religious affiliation. The image invites us to consider how we respond to those who are different from us, and prompts a moment of reflection on the emotional connections that bind us together. How might we see and act differently?