The Good Samaritan
c. 1865-70
Before he became famous for his glittering, jewel-toned mythological scenes, Gustave Moreau explored biblical stories with a raw, sketchy intensity. Here, he depicts the classic parable of the Good Samaritan, showing the moment the traveler helps the wounded man onto his donkey against a vast, desolate landscape at dusk. The loose, almost unfinished style gives the scene a sense of immediate, quiet compassion, contrasting sharply with the highly polished, mystical works he's best known for today. It's a rare glimpse into the artist's process before he fully embraced the Symbolist movement.
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