Samson Rending the Lion, 15th Century
This is a woodcut titled Samson Rending the Lion (1497-98) made by Albrecht Dürer, a German artist born in 1471 in Nuremburg, Germany. Dürer was a painter, printmaker, and theorist. He has built a reputation through his artwork and is known as the greatest artist during the Renaissance period throughout Europe. Albrecht Dürer is best known for his engravings and woodcuts than for his paintings. Most of his classical motifs consists of interpretations from theological aspects.
To the left is a picture of Dürer's woodcut Samson Rending the Lion. This is an interpretation of humanism. In the photo, you can see that Samson has more control over the lion. He even has one foot pressed against the lion's neck. The focal point in this picture is not on the lion, but on Samson, showing the kind of superhuman strength that he has received from God. Through art, Dürer is portraying Samson as a powerful human being as he has recognized his strength. Dürer casts this idea around his piece that if a human really wants something, he cannot be stopped even if a greater beast is upon him.
During the Northern Renaissance period in which this art piece was created, humanism was the central idea which began in Italy before spreading throughout Europe. The values and potential in human beings and human life were focused on through thoughts infused in art. It was a time of classical learning and wisdom after a long period of cultural decline and stagnation. European civilization also took place and many new changes were happening such as discovering and exploring new continents, substituting the Copernican theory for the Ptolemaic system, the decline of feudal systems with a growth in commerce, and the inventions of printing, the compass, and gunpowder. These changes simply reflect the focus or idea of humanistic values.
Online Citations:
History of the Renaissance in Europe: A rebirth, renewal, rediscovery. (n.d.). Retrieved December 17, 2015, from http://history-world.org/renaissance.htm
Albrecht Durer Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved December 16, 2015, from http://www.albrecht-durer.org/biography.html
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. (n.d.). Retrieved December 18, 2015, from http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/24.63.111
