Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn

A superb impression of the extremely rare first state, before the shading of the horse's tail and the completion of the wall above the horse. With beautiful contrasts and tonal balances. Trimmed to the image (since there was a wide space between the platemarks and the image, there are only a few surviving impressions that were not trimmed to the image). Rembrandt presents a interpretation of the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37). A man, left injured by robbers, is ignored by a priest and a Levite before a Samaritan – socially marginalised at the time – offers help. The scene underscores Christ’s message: true compassion lies not in social status, but in action. Rembrandt depicts the moment the Samaritan arrives at the inn. He entrusts the wounded man to the innkeeper, handing over money for his care. The surrounding scene is rich in everyday detail: a dog relieves itself in the foreground, water is drawn from a well, and servants tend to horse and rider. The inn, once grand, now shows signs of decay – a visual metaphor for moral and material decline. Created during Rembrandt’s early Amsterdam years, the work exemplifies his growing interest in emotional depth and human psychology within biblical narratives. Technically, the etching demonstrates his command of light, texture, and atmosphere. – Restored along the right edge, otherwise in good condition.