The Collection
The American Wing Ancient Near Eastern Art Arms and Armor The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing Asian Art The Cloisters The Costume Institute Drawings and Prints Egyptian Art European Paintings European Sculpture and Decorative Arts Greek and Roman Art Islamic Art Robert Lehman Collection The Libraries Medieval Art Musical Instruments Photographs Antonio Ratti Textile Center Modern and Contemporary Art

Samson capturé par les Philistins

Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) Italian

1619

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 620

Peuplée de personnages massifs aux traits réalistes, cette toile du Guerchin illustre le dénouement de l’histoire de Samson et Dalila, relatée dans l’Ancien Testament : Samson est piégé par les Philistins, qui le ligotent et lui crèvent les yeux, aidés par la traîtresse Dalila, son amante. La composition, puissante et extraordinairement inventive, est centrée sur le dos vigoureusement musclé de Samson, mais le Guerchin a encore intensifié la scène en l’emplissant de personnages. L’éclairage dramatique est typique des clairs-obscurs de ses premières années. Ce tableau est l’une des nombreuses commandes que fit au Guerchin, alors au sommet de son art, le cardinal Giacomo Serra, légat du pape à Ferrare et collectionneur réputé.

#5089. Samson capturé par les Philistins

0:00

0:00

View Transcript

Samson Captured by the Philistines, Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) (Italian, Cento 1591–1666 Bologna), Oil on canvas — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Samson Captured by the Philistines, Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) (Italian, Cento 1591–1666 Bologna), Oil on canvas

Samson Captured by the Philistines, Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) (Italian, Cento 1591–1666 Bologna), Oil on canvas

Samson Captured by the Philistines, Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) (Italian, Cento 1591–1666 Bologna), Oil on canvas

Samson Captured by the Philistines, Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) (Italian, Cento 1591–1666 Bologna), Oil on canvas

Samson Captured by the Philistines, Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) (Italian, Cento 1591–1666 Bologna), Oil on canvas

Samson Captured by the Philistines, Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) (Italian, Cento 1591–1666 Bologna), Oil on canvas

Samson Captured by the Philistines, Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) (Italian, Cento 1591–1666 Bologna), Oil on canvas

Samson Captured by the Philistines, Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) (Italian, Cento 1591–1666 Bologna), Oil on canvas

Samson Captured by the Philistines, Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) (Italian, Cento 1591–1666 Bologna), Oil on canvas

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Fig. 1. Guercino, "Samson Captured by the Philistines," pen and brush on paper, 42.5 x 60 cm (Teylers Museum, Haarlem)

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Fig. 2. Guercino, Study for "Samson Captured by the Philistines," pen and wash on paper, 25.8 x 22.7 cm (Gabinetto dei Disegni e delle Stampe degli Uffizi, Florence)

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Fig. 3. Guercino, "Seated figure, seen from back," drawing (Fondation Custodia, Collection Frits Lugt, Paris)

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Fig. 4. Copy after Guercino, 17th century, "Samson Captured by the Philistines," 181 x 237 cm (Musée d'Angoulême)

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Fig. 5. Painting in frame: overall

Fig. 6. Painting in frame: corner

Fig. 7. Painting in frame: angled corner

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Fig. 8. Profile drawing of frame. W 9 5/16 in. 23.7 cm (T. Newbery)

Titre: Samson capturé par les Philistins

Artiste: Le Guerchin (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri), Italien, 1591–1666

Date: 1619

Technique: Huile sur toile

Dimensions: 191,1 x 236,9 cm

Crédits: Don de M. et M^meCharles Wrightsman, 1984

Accession Number: 1984.459.2

The Met's Libraries and Research Centers provide unparalleled resources for research and welcome an international community of students and scholars.

The Met Collection API is where all makers, creators, researchers, and dreamers can connect to the most up-to-date data and public domain images for The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

The Met

European Paintings at The Met

The Met's celebrated European Paintings collection encompasses more than 2,500 works of art from the thirteenth through the early twentieth century.