Artwork

Sculpture by Vincenzo Foggini of "Samson and the Philistines" in the V&A Sculpture Gallery

Sculpture by Vincenzo Foggini of "Samson and the Philistines" in the V&A Sculpture Gallery is a drawing by Nahem Shoa. It is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Vincenzo Foggini’s drawing portrays the biblical episode in which Samson confronts the Philistines.

About this work

Overview

Vincenzo Foggini’s drawing portrays the biblical episode in which Samson confronts the Philistines. The work is part of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s Sculpture Gallery collection, presented here as a preparatory sketch for a larger sculptural project.

Subject & Meaning

The composition captures a moment of intense physical struggle: Samson, rendered with exaggerated musculature, clutches two massive pillars while a smaller figure clings to his leg, suggesting the hero’s overwhelming strength against his foes. The setting hints at an interior space, reinforcing the narrative’s dramatic tension.

Technique & Style

Foggini employed fine cross‑hatching, layering numerous short strokes to model form and generate tonal depth. This meticulous approach creates a textured surface that gives the figures a near‑three‑dimensional presence, while the rough wall and window background are suggested through looser, gestural lines.

History & Provenance

The drawing is a preparatory study for a larger sculpture that Foggini designed in the 18th century. It entered the V&A’s holdings as part of the museum’s broader acquisition of Italian drawings, reflecting the institution’s interest in the artist’s process.