Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well

Art Historical Context

Behold this delicate *Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at Well*, a circa 1420 panel attributed to a Southwest German workshop. Depicting the pivotal New Testament from the Gospel of John (41–42), where offers "living water" a Samaritan woman—transcending social and ethnic barriers—it embodies medieval Christianity's emphasis on salvation for all. Such intimate biblical scenes were cherished in private devotion, evoking spiritual reflection amid daily life. Crafted in gold leaf, paint, etching on glass, this7 x 8½-inch rondel exemplifies late Gothic glasswork's luminosity and precision. Etching allowed fine lines for intricate details like flowing robes and the well's stonework, while gold leaf created a radiant, heavenly glow, mimicking stained glass on a miniature scale. This "glass-miscellany" technique, rarer than large cathedral windows, highlights regional innovation in portable, jewel-like art. A gift to the Metropolitan Museum of Art from J. Pierpont Morgan in 1917, it graces the Medieval Art department, offering a window into 15th-century piety and craftsmanship. Visitors, imagine it sparkling in a noble's chamber, inviting contemplation of divine mercy.