Who painted Samson Killing the Lion?

Samson Killing the Lion was painted by Albrecht Dürer in 1496.

Where can I see Samson Killing the Lion?

Samson Killing the Lion is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Samson Killing the Lion?

Samson Killing the Lion is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Samson Killing the Lion

Albrecht Dürer , 1496

Samson Killing the Lion is a print by the Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1496 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1948.121
Credit line: Gift of William G. Mather

About this work

Overview

Samson Killing the Lion, a woodcut print created by Albrecht Dürer around 1496, exemplifies the artist's proficiency in printmaking, a medium through which he achieved widespread European recognition during the German Renaissance.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a pivotal moment from the Old Testament: Samson's bare-handed slaying of a lion. This biblical subject reflects Dürer's frequent engagement with religious themes.

Technique & Style

Dürer employed sharp, expressive lines to achieve a near-three-dimensional effect, particularly in rendering the lion's fur and Samson's muscularity. The composition also utilizes chiaroscuro, leveraging light and shadow to enhance depth and tension.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1496, the exact provenance of Samson Killing the Lion is not detailed here, though it is characteristic of Dürer's early, influential woodcut productions.

Context

This work was produced during the German Renaissance, a period of flourishing artistic innovation. Dürer's choice of a dramatic biblical scene catered to the religious and aesthetic tastes of his time.

Legacy

While specific legacy details of Samson Killing the Lion are not provided, as a Dürer woodcut, it contributes to the artist's broader impact on European printmaking and the representation of biblical themes in Renaissance art.