Samson Breaks His Bonds
about 1660/64 | Luca Giordano
The Jewish hero Samson is bound with ropes and brought before his enemies, the Philistines. But the spirit of the Lord comes over him: he breaks his bonds and puts his enemies to flight with the jawbone of an ass. The woman may be Samson’s wife or his later lover, Dalila. Neither one was present in the biblical scene (Book of Judges 15:15). This early work by Giordano is still characterised by the dramatic light and dark contrasts and corporeal brushstrokes typical of his teacher Ribera.
The Jewish hero Samson is bound with ropes and brought before his enemies, the Philistines. But the spirit of the Lord comes over him: he breaks his bonds and puts his enemies to flight with the jawbone of an ass. The woman may be Samson’s wife or his later lover, Dalila. Neither one was present in the biblical scene (Book of Judges 15:15). This early work by Giordano is still characterised by the dramatic light and dark contrasts and corporeal brushstrokes typical of his teacher Ribera.
Artist:
Luca Giordano (1634 - 1705 Neapel) DNB
Time:
about 1660/64
Object Name
Painting
Culture
Italian, Neapolitan
Material/technology:
Canvas
Dimensions:
232 x 269 cm
Framed: 243 cm × 280 cm × 9 cm
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Gemäldegalerie
Invs.
Gemäldegalerie, 9686
Provenance
Gift of Consigliere Miccio Onofrio to Viceroy Alois Thomas Raimund Count Harrach (1728-1733); Count Harrach's family collection, Rohrau/Lower Austria; 1971 dedicated by Stéphanie Countess Harrach