“The Good Samaritan, after Delacroix,” painted by Vincent van Gogh in 1890 in Auvers-sur-oise, France, is an oil painting on canvas measuring 73 x 60 cm. This religious painting, embodying the Post-Impressionism art movement, currently resides in the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo, Netherlands.
The artwork illustrates the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan, where a Samaritan man is depicted rescuing an injured stranger. Van Gogh, influenced by Eugène Delacroix, manifests dynamic brush strokes and a vivid color palette, which are signature elements of his Post-Impressionist style. The scene is filled with expressive motion and emotional intensity, highlighting compassion and human kindness. The Samaritan, clothed in contrasting vibrant robes, physically supports the distressed individual, visually narrating the act of altruism amid a swirling, intense background that captures the drama and fervor of the moment. This painting not only demonstrates Van Gogh’s technical prowess but also his deep engagement with themes of empathy and moral action.
