Who painted Samson Fighting with the Lion?

Samson Fighting with the Lion was painted by Albrecht Dürer in 1498.

Where can I see Samson Fighting with the Lion?

Samson Fighting with the Lion is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Samson Fighting with the Lion?

Samson Fighting with the Lion is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Samson Fighting with the Lion?

Museum-quality prints of Samson Fighting with the Lion are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Samson Fighting with the Lion

Albrecht Dürer , 1498

Samson Fighting with the Lion is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1498 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:in block, bottom center: AD [artist's monogram]; verso, lower right, in graphite by a later hand: [reference information in German]; verso, lower left, in graphite by a later hand: B.2; verso, lower left, in graphite by a later hand: B. V 7 p. 116. no. 2_127 of [?] [illegible]; verso, lower left, in black ink by a later hand: Mo Liphast [?]; verso, lower left, in graphite by a later hand: KK960
Markings: Marked:verso, bottom right, in red ink, unidentifed collector's mark in a circle: F_H [?]

About this work

Overview

Samson Fighting with the Lion is a woodcut on laid paper created by Albrecht Dürer around 1498, portraying a pivotal moment from biblical narrative.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts Samson in intense physical struggle with a lion, emphasizing his strength and the dramatic, violent nature of the encounter. The sparse background concentrates attention on the confrontation.

Technique & Style

Executed in fine lines, the woodcut contrasts detailed, expressive rendering of the figures with a largely empty background. Dürer utilized chiaroscuro to accentuate Samson’s straining muscles, achieving a dynamic, high-contrast visual effect despite the medium’s limitations.

History & Provenance

Notably, Dürer produced this work during his teenage years, demonstrating early mastery of woodcut techniques. The piece reflects the accessibility and disseminability of woodcuts in the late 15th century, which facilitated widespread distribution of images.

Context

Created in the late 15th century, this woodcut exemplifies the era’s religious themes in art and the burgeoning capability for mass reproduction of images through woodcut technology.