Samson and Delilah by Gerrit van Honthorst
by Carlos Diaz
Title
Samson and Delilah by Gerrit van Honthorst
Artist
Carlos Diaz
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Samson and Delilah - Remastered by Carlos Diaz
c. 1616
Gerrit van Honthorst
(Dutch, 1590-1656)
Netherlands, 17th century
In retaliation for Samson’s single-handed decimation of their army, the Philistines bribed his lover Delilah to discover the source of his strength: his hair, uncut since birth. Samson’s hair was shorn as he lay sleeping in Delilah’s lap, draining his strength and allowing the Philistines to capture him. Honthorst intensified the inherent drama of the scene by limiting his depiction to just three closely packed figures, starkly illuminated by a single candle. The old woman’s silencing gesture involves the viewer in the action, making us complicit in Delilah’s deceit.
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April 22nd, 2021
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