The Canaanite Woman c. 1576 - 1580

Léonard Gaultier’s engraving, *The Canaanite Woman*, captures a biblical scene rife with the tensions of identity and faith. Made during a period of religious conflict, the image depicts a Canaanite woman kneeling before Jesus, pleading for her daughter's healing. The engraving subtly challenges the established social order. The Canaanites were vilified as outsiders. In Gaultier’s image, the woman's emotional plea transcends these cultural boundaries. Her posture is of deference, but also determination. The presence of dogs—often symbols of impurity—further complicates the narrative; they are at once part of her perceived "uncleanliness" and witnesses to her unwavering faith. Through his delicate lines, Gaultier invites us to question who is deemed worthy and how faith can emerge from the most unexpected places. The engraving therefore becomes an intimate reflection on the intersections of gender, ethnicity, and belief, asking us to consider the humanity within those we often marginalize.