Henryka Siemiradzkiego „Chrystus u studni rozmawiający z Samarytanką” (1890). Komentarz archeologiczny

Abstract

In 1890 Henryk Siemiradzki (1843-1902) painted a picture which now hangs in the Lviv National Art Gallery. In the composition of the scene he followed the account of the Gospel of St. John (John 4, 1-42). The object of my attention is primarily in this case the figure of a Samaritan woman, as the painter, known for his meticulous, nearly archaeological approach to the detail, represented her in a unique way. After what probably must have been an uneasy search, Siemiradzki dressed the model who posed for this scene in a typical Palestinian female costume of the 19th century (most probably coming from Rafidiye). The clay jug standing on the well, which the girl used to draw water, also deserves attention. anks to the fact that the artist rendered some details of its decoration, the vessel can be identified as Palestinian bichrome ware, dated to Late Bronze Age I (1550-1400 BC). The vessel, most likely deliberately chosen, later found its way into Siemiradzki’s collection of ancient pottery. Siemiradzki often portrayed particular element of this collection in much detail in his paintings.