Who painted Samson and the Philistines?

Samson and the Philistines was painted by Carl Bloch in 1863-01-01.

Where can I see Samson and the Philistines?

Samson and the Philistines is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

What movement is Samson and the Philistines?

Samson and the Philistines is associated with Realism.

Can I buy a print of Samson and the Philistines?

Museum-quality prints of Samson and the Philistines are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Samson and the Philistines

Carl Bloch , 1863

Samson and the Philistines is an oil painting by the Realist artist Carl Bloch. It dates from 1863 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Bloch emphasizes the moment of impending doom, highlighting Samson’s physical power juxtaposed with his vulnerability and the cruelty of his captors.

The painting portrays the biblical hero Samson bound in a Philistine mill, his massive muscles strained against a heavy chain while a group of Philistines watches. Bloch emphasizes the moment of impending doom, highlighting Samson’s physical power juxtaposed with his vulnerability and the cruelty of his captors. The surrounding details, a broken broom, a gunny sack, and a distant mill wheel, reinforce the theme of forced labor and the loss of freedom.

Iconographically, the work draws on the story of Samson’s betrayal by Delilah and his final act of vengeance, symbolizing the triumph of strength over oppression and the tragic cost of hubris.

Technique & Style

Completed in 1863, Samson and the Philistines is an oil painting executed on canvas by Carl Bloch. The work measures 245.5 cm in height and 184 cm in width, constituting a large-scale religious composition. Visually, the piece depicts a dramatic narrative scene involving Samson, Philistines, and elements of torture such as chains and a mill, alongside objects like a gunny sack and broom.

The application of oil paint allows for the detailed rendering of these figures and props within the genre of religious art.

History & Provenance

Samson and the Philistines was created in 1863 by the Danish painter Carl Bloch. The work is an oil painting on canvas, as indicated by both the artwork’s dating and its medium. After its completion, the painting entered the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen, where it remains housed today. This transfer to the museum constitutes the known provenance and current ownership chain of the piece.

Overview

Samson and the Philistines is an oil painting created by Carl Bloch in 1863. This religious work depicts a scene from the biblical narrative of Samson, focusing on his captivity. The artwork is part of the collection at the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it offers a dramatic interpretation of a well-known story.