Who painted Samson (Bairds Carryout)?

Samson (Bairds Carryout) was painted by Peter Howson in 1987-01-01.

Where can I see Samson (Bairds Carryout)?

Samson (Bairds Carryout) is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Samson (Bairds Carryout)?

Samson (Bairds Carryout) is associated with Neo Expressionism.

Artwork

Samson (Bairds Carryout)

Peter Howson , 1994

Samson (Bairds Carryout) is an oil painting by the Neo Expressionist artist Peter Howson. It dates from 1994 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

This pairing suggests a commentary on the intersection of mythic strength and contemporary working-class life in Scotland.

Peter Howson's 1987 oil painting depicts the biblical figure Samson. The work's title, Samson (Bairds Carryout), juxtaposes this ancient hero with a modern Scottish fast-food establishment, creating a specific iconographic contrast. This pairing suggests a commentary on the intersection of mythic strength and contemporary working-class life in Scotland.

By placing a symbol of immense physical power within the mundane context of a takeaway shop, the artist recontextualizes the traditional religious subject to reflect modern social realities.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil paint on canvas in 1987, the work presents a muscular Samson straining against restraints, rendered with thick, impasto handling that emphasizes physical strain and raw energy. The palette is earthy and subdued, with ochres, umbers, and deep browns dominating the composition, while localized highlights on flesh and rope articulate form through contrast. Stylistically, the figure is depicted with a pronounced, almost sculptural modeling of musculature, aligning with Howson’s early-career figuration that merges expressive distortion with narrative urgency.

The scene’s compressed space and exaggerated anatomy underscore a heightened emotional and physical tension, characteristic of the artist’s approach to mythological and contemporary subjects during this period.

History & Provenance

Peter Howson created the oil-on-canvas painting Samson in 1987. The work depicts the biblical figure Samson and measures 121.9 cm in height by 94.9 cm in width. It is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The available records do not specify the original commission, the identity of the first owner, or the detailed chain of custody that led to its acquisition by the museum.

The painting Samson (Bairds Carryout) by Peter Howson is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Created in 1987, the work is executed in oil paint on canvas and measures 121.9 cm in height by 94.9 cm in width. While the piece is located at the museum, the provided records do not specify an accession number or detail any past exhibition history for this specific artwork.

Overview

Peter Howson’s 1994 oil on canvas, titled Samson (Bairds Carryout), is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection. The work presents a densely packed scene rendered in vivid, contrasting hues, where figures tumble, climb, and press against one another beneath a sky punctuated by golden stars.

Context

During the early 1990s, Howson’s work often merged mythic subjects with contemporary urban settings, reflecting a broader trend among Scottish painters to re‑interpret classical narratives through modern, gritty visual language. The inclusion of architectural elements with arched windows situates the biblical reference within a recognizable, perhaps industrial, environment.