The Good Samaritan

Photo © Martin Crampin, Imaging the Bible in Wales larger image

1962 Three-light window with three scenes from the parable of the Good Samaritan. Losenges above and below with various symbols. technique: stained glass size: 30 cm (width of each light) [approx] firm/studio: Shrigley & Hunt Church of the Five Saints, Llanpumsaint, Carmarthenshire west wall Dedication: 'Er gogoniant Duw ac er gof annwyl am y Parch Joshua Jones Ficer y Plwyf hwn 1920-1944. A fu farw Mawrth 17 1951 ac Elizabeth Louise ei wraig a fu farw Gorfennaf 20 1960.' The parable was Jesus' response to the question 'Who is my neighbour?' The window depicts three moments in the parable. 1. The Samaritan (a member of a despised race by the Hebrews) tends the wounds of a victim of violent robbery, whilst the priest and levite walk away. This is the scene most commonly represented artistically. 2. The wounded man borne on the Samaritan's own beast to safety. Delacroix in 1849 imaged this scene. 3. Payment to the innkeeper for caring for the victim. Rembrandt imaged this scene. It is possible that Shrigley & Hunt's artist was drawing on earlier paintings, therefore. Normally the victim is Adam (man) and the Samaritan is Christ, in conventional interpretations. Note also at the apex of the window the serpent eating his tail. This is the symbol of Eternity, and perhaps a reference to the fact that all such Acts of Mercy are sub specie aeternitatis.  (ObjectID=707 ImageID=1324) Original File Name=_MG_2981.jpg

This artwork is indexed under the following main subject(s):
for other works containing these subjects please click on the links.

• the good Samaritan  [Luke 10:30-37]

Thomas Lloyd, Julian Orbach and Robert Scourfield, The Buildings of Wales: Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion (London: Yale University Press, 2006), p. 326.

A Directory of Stained Glass Windows (London: The British Society of Master Glass-Painters, 1966), p. 67.

Photo © Martin Crampin, Imaging the Bible in Wales