Who painted Samson and Delilah?

Samson and Delilah was painted by Michel Corneille in 1664.

Where can I see Samson and Delilah?

Samson and Delilah is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Samson and Delilah?

Samson and Delilah is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Samson and Delilah

Michel Corneille , 1664

Samson and Delilah is an ink print by the Baroque artist Michel Corneille. It dates from 1664 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Michel Corneille’s etching Samson and Delilah, executed around 1664, presents a nocturnal tableau in which the biblical hero lies asleep while Delilah trims his hair. A lone soldier stands outside the doorway, lantern in hand, casting a single, bright beam that illuminates Samson’s chest and the delicate action within the otherwise shadowed interior.

Subject & Meaning

The image captures the pivotal moment of betrayal recounted in the Book of Judges, emphasizing the vulnerability of Samson as his strength is tied to his hair. Delilah’s focused gesture and the soldier’s watchful presence underscore themes of secrecy, power dynamics, and the impending loss of the hero’s might.

Technique & Style

Corneille employs a combination of fine line work and aquatint, using minute dots to render soft, gradated shadows that give the scene a velvety darkness. The contrast between the subtle tonal fields and the sharply defined lantern light demonstrates his skill in manipulating chiaroscuro to direct the viewer’s attention.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid‑seventeenth century, the print reflects the French Baroque interest in dramatic biblical narratives. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work has been catalogued among Corneille’s prints and appears in several nineteenth‑century collections of French etchings.