Biografia i sztuka. O dwóch „Samarytankach” Jacka Malczewskiego

The article discusses Jacek Malczewski’s paintings based on the Gospel, in which the artist depicts Christ giving him his own face. It presents a new interpretation of the paintings from this group, taking as an example two versions of the theme ‘Christ and the Samaritan Woman’. The works were analysed in the context of the artist’s often declared attachment to the teachings of the Catholic Church, in relation to the iconographic tradition and because of the planimetric features of their visual structure. In conclusion, the paintings were considered as a means for the viewer to both recognise the autonomy of art in relation to the biographical context, and to turn towards the universal message of the Gospel.