Christ and the Woman of Samaria
- Catalog
- WD-D05
- Artist
- Willem Drost
- Year
- c. 1648–49
- Medium
- Pen and bistre on paper
- Dimensions
- 20.7 × 18.7 cm
- Location
- Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Birmingham
Description
A pen and bistre drawing attributed to Drost, depicting the biblical encounter between Christ and the Samaritan Woman at Jacob's well (John 4:4–42). Unusually small in scale, it may be a preparatory study.
Analysis
This drawing is attributed to Drost by the Barber Institute. The fluent pen work and compositional arrangement show affinities with Rembrandt's approach to the same subject, while the handling of the figures and the well setting suggest a young artist still developing his personal style. The early date (c. 1648–49) would place it very early in Drost's career, possibly while still in Rembrandt's workshop.
Historical Context
The First Anglo-Dutch War (1652–1654) raged during this period, with naval battles at Portland, the Gabbard, and Scheveningen where Admiral Maarten Tromp was killed. The Delft Thunderclap of 1654 devastated the city and killed Carel Fabritius, Rembrandt’s most gifted former pupil. Queen Christina of Sweden abdicated and converted to Catholicism in Rome. Blaise Pascal experienced his conversion to Jansenism. Drost worked independently in Amsterdam, competing in a vibrant art market while Rembrandt began his descent into bankruptcy.