Samson and Delilah 1609-1610
Peter Paul Rubens painted an interpretation of Samson and Delilah from 1609 to 1610. The paining is currently located in the National Gallery located in London. The artwork was created in the early 17th century when England was ruled under King James I. The colonization of the New World was different when King James I took over, religious and social views were changed. There were many complications by disagreement over religion. The 17th century was consequently an age of military revolution. However, the political, economic, social, and cultural issues were a big part of England in the early 1600s. The 17th century was probably the most important century in the making of the modern world leading to different artistic decisions. The story of Samson and Delilah speaks to every generation that includes betrayal and love.
The painting Samson and Delilah is a very famous Baroque painting that reflects the Renaissance form and figure as well as religious views in the bible. As a famous Baroque painter, Rubens mastered realism in all the figures shown and mastery in light and shadows (also called Caravaggio Shadow). Rubens carefully chose the details and features as a way to portray the story of Samson and Delilah in the 17th century.
The detail of the fabrics in the painting reveals the rich and great wealth of the 17th century that marks the time when the artwork was painted. Showing the scene of Judges 16:19, Rubens represented prostitutes in the era of the 17th century. Delilah was shown sitting down with her bare breasts (symbolizing her sexuality). Painting in the 17th century, prostitutes are usually depicted with a part of their body parts vulnerably showing. If this painting was to be in the middle ages, the figure would had been fully nude as any other figures portrayed in a middle age painting. Note that Delilah could arguably be the first focus in this painting as portrayed with the light source, following her linen garment called a shift that was worn by 17th century women under their long dress as an everyday lifestyle. Delilah’s expression in the painting with sympathetic eyes looking straight at Samson, gives a feel that she is hesitant to betray Samson. However, with the guards in the back and the man cutting Samson’s hair depicts as the military ambush relating to the many revolutions in the 17th century emphasizing on the drama of betrayal. In this interpretation, Delilah could be seen as betraying Samson and helping the Philistines.
Peter Paul Rubens portrayed Samson in a mentally powerless way, but still remain Samson’s physical strengths and shown by the details and features on his muscular arm and back. Rubens included an elderly woman portrayed as a spectator. She was to be a representative of the 17th century Dutch woman depicted as a symbol of sexuality. In the 17th century, the meaning of love was portrayed as the love for God, there wasn’t much about relationships but more about religious views. There is a statue (top middle left) that could ideally be Venus, the Goddess of love and her son, Cupid. This could represent the fate that led Samson to his downfall, love.
Overall, there are many interpretations that portrays the story of Samson and Delilah. Peter Paul Rubens, connected many of the historical context to his own interpretation of Samson and Delilah in his generation.
