Samson und Delila

Samson and Delilah

Rubens's interpretation of this Old Testament story is tense and powerful. Samson's Nazirite vows forbade the cutting of hair; in return, God gave him great strength. Delilah was bribed by the Philistines to seduce Samson and cut his hair as he slept, so that soldiers could capture the weakened hero. Dramatic lighting reflects Rubens's awareness of the Italian painter, Caravaggio.