Christ and the Woman of Samaria
- Artist: Jacopo Tintoretto
- Date: (circa) 1550-1575
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the "Christ and the Woman of Samaria" by Jacopo Tintoretto. The painting, executed around 1550–1575 in oil on canvas, captures a pivotal moment from the Gospel of John, when Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well. Tintoretto’s Venetian flair is immediately apparent: the composition swirls with dramatic diagonals, and his signature dramatic lighting lifts the figures into a radiant, almost theatrical space.
Notice how the woman’s profile is softened by the warm glow of the background, suggesting hope and renewal, while Jesus is framed by a dynamic cloudscape that hints at divine presence. Tintoretto’s brushwork is vigorous—his strokes are quick and confident, lending a sense of motion that pulls the viewer into the narrative. The palette combines rich ochres and deep reds, balanced by cool blues that create a vivid contrast between earth and sky.
The canvas itself is sizable, typical of Tintoretto’s grand scale, which demands that we step back to appreciate the full breadth of his composition. In the upper corner, subtle details hint at the setting’s cultural context: the modest garments and the stone wall that frame the scene.
Overall, this work exemplifies Tintoretto’s ability to fuse theological storytelling with the energetic dynamism of Venetian late Renaissance art, inviting us to witness the transformative encounter between divine grace and human doubt.
See it in person
Christ and the Woman of Samaria hangs in The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
