Samson and Delilah
1540
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From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1540
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This woodcut shows a dramatic scene with lots of swirling figures. In the center, a muscular man with long hair is being held by a woman who sits on his lap. Around them, other people—some with wings, some with instruments—seem to be reacting to the moment. The background has a building with windows and a distant landscape. The artist used sharp lines and dramatic poses to show tension and movement. The scene looks chaotic but is carefully arranged to tell a story. Next, check out the technique: woodcut to see how this image was made.
