Samson with the Jawbone
1636
oil
From the collection of J. Paul Getty Museum
1636
oil
From the collection of J. Paul Getty Museum
The painting depicts a man with long, curly hair and a beard, wearing a gray robe over a white shirt. He holds a large jawbone in his right hand, grasping it near the teeth, and rests his left hand on the jawbone near the joint. The background is a solid brown color. The man's facial expression is serious, and he appears to be looking up and to his right. His right hand is clenched into a fist, and his left hand is relaxed, with his fingers curled around the jawbone. The overall atmosphere of the painting is somber and contemplative. The use of chiaroscuro in this painting creates a sense of depth and volume, drawing the viewer's attention to the man's face and the jawbone. To learn more about this technique, look up chiaroscuro.
