À propos de l’œuvre
Le bon Samaritain, par Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh · Early May 1890 · Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France
The Good Samaritan, after DelacroixReproduction of oil painting on canvas
The Samaritan lifts an injured man to place him on his horse, at the edge of a steep path. Van Gogh translates a black and white engraving after Delacroix into fiery colors and makes the gesture of help the center of the composition.
Look at the work
The weight of a body entrusted to the Samaritan
The almost naked injured man leans on the shoulder of the man dressed in a yellow coat. Their bodies fit together in a difficult movement: one leg hangs, the torso overturns and the Samaritan leans on the ground.
The brown horse waits on the right, harnessed in red and yellow. On the left, an open chest and abandoned clothes recall the attack. In the distance, two figures walk away on a road that climbs between the hills.
The undulating lines and color contrasts make the effort needed to help almost physical.
Composition, touch and color
Three observations specific to this painting
The work KM 104.010 can be recognized by the Samaritan's yellow coat, the wounded man in blue pants, the brown horse and the open chest in the left corner.
A personal translation by Delacroix
Van Gogh works from a black and white reproduction. He therefore does not copy colors: he reconstructs them from memory and according to his own logic.
Two bodies linked by the gesture
The arms, legs and folds of clothing become tangled. The composition places less emphasis on the face than on the concrete effort of help.
Spiritual contrasts
Blue, purple and yellow, red and green are strongly opposed. For Van Gogh, Delacroix was a guide in the expressive use of these complements.
Documented benchmarks
Precisely identify the original work
The Kroeller-Müller Museum preserves The Good Samaritan, after Delacroix under number KM 104.010. Painted at the beginning of May 1890, the work measures 73 × 59.5 cm and bears the references F633 and JH1974.
An engraving after Delacroix
Van Gogh did not have the original painting. He transformed a monochrome reproduction into an oil-colored composition.
After a serious crisis
The museum places the production while Van Gogh returns to work after an episode of illness in Saint-Rémy.
Theo as a good Samaritan
The Kroeller-Müller Museum offers a possible rapprochement with Theo, the brother who continually supports Vincent; this is an interpretation.
Your reproduction
What the painter must preserve
The painter must convey the weight of the two bodies, the undulating contours and the yellow-blue and red-green contrasts which give the scene its intensity.
- The Samaritan's yellow coat and blue pants
- The twisting of the injured man hoisted on the horse
- The brown horse with red and yellow harnesses
- The open chest and abandoned items on the left
Work sheet
| Title | The Good Samaritan, after Delacroix |
|---|---|
| Artist | Vincent van Gogh (1853 -1890) |
| Date | Early May 1890 |
| Place of creation | Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France |
| Original technique | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 73 × 59.5 cm |
| Inventory | KM 104.010 · F633 · JH1974 |
| Conservation | Kroeller-Müller Museum, Otterlo |
| Your reproduction | Handmade oil painting on canvas |
From order to shipping
In your interior
A scene of compassion in powerful colors
The vertical format brings a strong narrative presence to a living room, library or office. Yellow, blue and warm earth accompany dark wood and weathered metals.
Frequently asked questions
Before ordering
Is this a canvas print?
No. Each reproduction is manually painted in oil on canvas. Brushstrokes and material variations belong to the final result.
How is the visual reference chosen?
The Google Art Project reference measures 4,000 × 4,881 px. It was prepared as a real WebP of 2,458 × 3,000 px.
Can I check the result before shipping?
Yes. Photographs of the finished painting are sent to you; you can request alterations before validating the shipment.
Are custom formats possible?
Yes. The format can be adapted to your wall while maintaining the proportions and balance of the original composition.
