Samson Rending the Lion
1458
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1458
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Samson Rending the Lion is a 1458 by Master E.S., a Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
The painting shows Samson, a strong man, fighting a lion with his bare hands. He's dressed like a medieval courtier. The story behind this scene is from the Bible, but it looks like a fantasy tale. Samson is proving his strength to a woman, who might not be trustworthy. This painting tells a story about courage and power. To learn more about similar art, look up the technique of chiaroscuro.
