According to the Book of Judges Samson was given a gift by God making him invincible and able to stand up to the Philistines. However he only possessed his superhuman powers as long as his hair was not cut. In response to repeated cajoling by his lover Delilah he revealed
According to the Book of Judges Samson was given a gift by God making him invincible and able to stand up to the Philistines. However he only possessed his superhuman powers as long as his hair was not cut. In response to repeated cajoling by his lover Delilah he revealed the secret of his strength to her. Here Cranach illustrates the direct results of this moment of confidence. In the foreground the panel depicts the old testament champion fancying himself in elusive safety with Delilah. Samson, who is dressed in armour and yet barefoot, is stretched out at his lover's feet with his head on her lap. The woman exploits the hero's trust and takes advantage of the situation to cut his hair and thus deprive him of his virility. In the background the awaiting Philistines are shown approaching the scene to overcome and capture the invincible one. While the jawbone lying in front of Samson recalls his past victorious battle against the Philistines, two partridges at the left may be a reference to the unbridled libido or - as suggested by the abundance of fruit on the trees - to the temptation of man to sin.
[Exhib. Cat. Gotha/Kassel 2015, 218]
- Attributions
-
Lucas Cranach the Younger
Workshop Lucas Cranach the Elder
Attributions
Lucas Cranach the Younger | [Exhib. Cat. Gotha 2015, No. 64] |
Workshop Lucas Cranach the Elder | 'Werkstatt' [1][Exhib. Cat. Chemnitz 2005, 220] |
- Production dates
- about 1537
about 1540
Production dates
about 1537 | [Exhib. Cat. Gotha 2015, No. 64] [Exhib. Cat. Chemnitz 2005, 218] |
about 1540 | [Koepplin, Exhib. Cat. Basel 1974, No. 472, 574] |
- Dimensions
- Dimensions of support: 74.5 x 121 x 1.8 cm
Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 74.5 x 121 x 1.8 cm
[Exhib. Cat. Chemnitz 2005, 218]
- Signature / Dating
Artist's insignia bottom (jawbone): winged serpent with dropped wings, facing left
Signature / Dating
Artist's insignia bottom (jawbone): winged serpent with dropped wings, facing left
- Inscriptions and Labels
Reverse of the panel:
[Gal.-Nr., repeated]; Sammlungsnachweis Pillnitz (repeated): 'Inv. 44'[Schlegel 2003, 92][1]
[1][Schlegel, …Inscriptions and Labels
Stamps, Seals, Labels:
Reverse of the panel:
[Gal.-Nr., repeated]; Sammlungsnachweis Pillnitz (repeated): 'Inv. 44'
[Schlegel 2003, 92][1]
[1][Schlegel, Exhib. Cat. Chemnitz 2005, 218]
- Owner
- Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden
- Repository
- Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden
- Location
- Dresden
- CDA ID
- DE_SKD_GG1929
- FR (1978) Nr.
- FR357E
- Persistent Link
- https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_SKD_GG1929/