The biblical story of Christ and the Samaritan Woman was popular among Catholics in Counter-Reformation Italy who hoped to win back Protestant converts. Guercino himself painted at least five versions of the scene over the course of his career.
The Gospel of John 4:1–42 records Christ’s discussion with a Samaritan woman, whose people were shunned by the Jews for their heretical beliefs. After debating the physical versus spiritual properties of water at Jacob’s well, the woman embraces Christ’s message and agrees to spread his word to the Samaritans.
