Friday, November 18, 2016

Samson & Delilah in the 17th century

Peter Paul Rubens
Samson and Delilah
1609
oil on panel
National Gallery, London

Judging solely by abundance of subsequent reproductions, the Rubens canvas above from 1609 at the National Gallery in London would appear to be Europe's all-time favorite image of the Biblical lovers Samson and Delilah. A fat book could be filled with the drawings, etchings, engravings and other copies made from it, continuing into the present (as below).

Jacob Matham after Peter Paul Rubens
Samson and Delilah
ca. 1613
engraving
Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest

Frank Auerbach after Peter Paul Rubens
Samson and Delilah
1993
crayon, felt-tip pen
British Museum

The subject remained popular throughout the Renaissance, but this distinctive combination of sex, betrayal and violence exerted an even stronger attraction on the Mannerist and Baroque artists who followed.

Gerrit van Honthorst
Samson and Delilah
ca. 1615
canvas
Cleveland Museum of Art

Anthony van Dyck
Samson and Delilah
ca. 1617-20
oil on canvas
Dulwich Picture Gallery, London

Willilam Hilton after Anthony van Dyck
Samson and Delilah
early 19th century
watercolor
British Museum

Rembrandt
Samson and Delilah
1628
oil on panel
Staatliche Museen, Berlin

Jan Lievens
Samson and Delilah
ca. 1626-30
oil on panel
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Jan Lievens
Samson and Delilah
ca. 1630-35
oil on canvas
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Christiaen van Couwenbergh
Samson and Delilah
1630
oil on canvas
Dordrechts Museum

Willem Bartsius
Samson and Delilah
1632
oil on panel
private collection

Francesco Furini
Samson and Delilah
ca. 1645
oil on canvas
private collection

Guercino
Samson and Delilah
1646
drawing
Philadelphia Museum of Art

Jan Steen
Samson and Delilah
1668
oil on canvas
Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Adriaen van der Werff
Samson and Delilah
1679
oil on panel
Staatliches Museum, Schwerin

Pietro Malombra
Samson and Delilah
17th century
oil on canvas
private collection

Padovanino
Samson and Delilah
17th century
oil on canvas
private collection