Samson and the Lion, from "The Story of Samson"
This hand-coloured print depicts an episode from the Old Testament story of Samson who had been given supernatural strength by God to combat his enemies and perform heroic feats. His weaknesses were unsuitable women and his hair, without which he was powerless. Here Samson is shown as a young man on his way to the city of Timnah in Canaan to meet a Philistine woman he had fallen in love with. On his way he was attacked by a lion. Without telling his parents, who accompanied him on his journey and are shown at the left, Samson tore the lion apart with his bare hands. The subject and the biblical passage from which the scene derives (Judges 14:6) is printed along the top of the print.
The print was published by Denis Fontenay one of a number of publishers who worked on and around the rue de Mongtorgueil in Paris. The prints were made in large numbers and the process of colouring impressions with a stencil sped up the production. Today, however, few impressions are known. This is one of set of four prints representing the story of Samson purchased by the Museum in 2010.
The print was published by Denis Fontenay one of a number of publishers who worked on and around the rue de Mongtorgueil in Paris. The prints were made in large numbers and the process of colouring impressions with a stencil sped up the production. Today, however, few impressions are known. This is one of set of four prints representing the story of Samson purchased by the Museum in 2010.
Artwork Details
- Title: Samson and the Lion, from "The Story of Samson"
- Series/Portfolio: The Story of Samson
- Artist: Anonymous, French, 16th century
- Artist: Rue de Montorgueil
- Publisher: Denis Fonteney (French, died 1583)
- Date: ca. 1560–80
- Medium: Woodcut with pochoir (stencil) and hand coloring
- Dimensions: sheet: 14 3/4 x 19 1/2 in. (37.4 x 49.5 cm)
- Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Purchase, Bequest of W. Gedney Beatty, by exchange; and A. Hyatt Mayor Purchase Fund, Marjorie Phelps Starr Bequest, 2010
- Object Number: 2010.27.2
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Anonymous, French, 16th century
Anonymous, French, 16th century
16th century
Anonymous, French, 16th century
Jean Cousin the Elder
ca. 1550
Anonymous, French, 16th century
16th century
Anonymous, French, 16th century
ca. 1545–65
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
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.