Samson Captured by the Philistines

The subject of this picture is from the Biblical book of Judges. Samson, whose strength came from his hair, has been shorn by his duplicitous lover, Delilah, and is set upon by the Philistines, who bind him and blind him. The focus of this dramatic and marvelously staged composition—a landmark in the artist’s career—is the vigorously modeled back of Samson, struggling to free himself. It is one of several commissions from Cardinal Giacomo Serra, the papal legate to Ferrara. Serra was a notable collector in Rome and also promoted Rubens. (Source: The Metropolitan Museum of Art)