Samson and the Lion
c. 1615 Nationalmuseum
About this artwork
This dynamic oil sketch depicts the biblical hero Samson wrestling a lion, showcasing the artist's characteristic mastery of muscular anatomy and dramatic tension. It is part of the collection held at the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm.
Did you know?
While often attributed as a study by Rubens, the style reflects his signature energetic brushwork used to capture movement and raw power. This scene represents the first of Samson's feats as told in the Book of Judges, where he tears the lion apart with his bare hands as if it were a young goat. It is a quintessential example of Baroque vigor, where the struggle is captured in a fleeting, intense moment.
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Samson and the Lion
Peter Paul Rubens, c. 1615
