Christ and the Woman of Samaria

Benedetto Luti

1715–20 · Oil on copper · European Paintings

Christ is depicted in conversation with a Samaritan woman, a member of a sect despised by the Jewish authorities, signifying the universality of his message. The subject relates to a larger oil on canvas listed in an inventory taken after Luti’s death. However, the high level of finish and surface detail as well as the use of an expensive copper support make it unlikely that this work was made merely as a preparatory study. Luti enjoyed an outstanding reputation in Rome and this painting may have belonged to Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni (1667–1740), one of the most important patrons and collectors of the day.

Artist

Benedetto Luti

Date

1715–20

Medium

Oil on copper

Department

European Paintings

Credit line

Rogers Fund, by exchange, 2015