Samson And Delilah

Venetian school, first half of the 18th century

Samson and Delilah

Oil on canvas, cm 83 x 91

With frame, cm 87 x 94

The painting represents one of the most famous scenes in the Old Testament: the capture of Samson. This biblical hero was deceived by Delilah, who seduced him to obtain the secret of his incredible strength and later reveal it to the Philistines. Once he discovered that shaving his long hair would make him lose strength, Samson is shaved night time and chained by the Philistine soldiers. Furious he throws himself against the traitor without being able to reach her despite the effort, well evidenced by the posture contracted and tense muscles. The fierce and angry expression of the hero clashes with the calm and at the same time mocking look of Dalila, softly lying on the same bed where Samson’s hair had been cut, visible along with the scissors on the floor below. The woman’s affectionate gesture tries to mitigate the betrayal, in a vain attempt to put off the anger of her partner. The image expresses all the frenzy and drama of the moment, especially in the group of soldiers intent on blocking Samson; the quick brushstrokes lengthen and break the figures giving them more dynamism, almost frantic. Only the space reserved for Dalila gives back a certain composing and expressive calm, balancing the emotionality of the scene, made less tragic and gloomy by bright tones. The latter are reminiscent of those of the Venetian masters of Rococo: Giambattista Tiepolo, Sebastiano Ricci and Giambattista Piazzetta. In addition to the style also the episode interfaces with that desire for escape from reality typical of the period; mythological or biblical episodes could best tease the imagination of rich clients, looking for iconic and figuratively spectacular episodes. The poses, expressions and the very strength of the story of Samson and Dalila are in line with this vision of art,  also considering the notoriety of character that had already been present in the pictorial works of the great masters of the past, such as Van Dyck or Tintoretto. 

The object is in good condition