Woodblock for Samson Rending the Lion
Original title: Woodblock for Samson Rending the Lion
kurzbeschreibung
Around 1497–98, Albrecht Dürer cut this woodblock with the Old Testament scene of Samson overpowering a lion. The motif is executed in pear wood and served as the printing block for a woodcut.
Description
A lion stretches along the ground, its jaws wide open, body twisting. On its back kneels a powerful man with long hair, gripping the animal's head with both hands. Behind the group, on the left, rises a city wall with towers and buildings; rocky terrain frames the action.
Context
In the years around 1497–98, Dürer devoted himself increasingly to woodcut as a means of artistic expression. The biblical story from the Book of Judges, dealing with human strength and divine support, was a popular theme in the Renaissance. For material, Dürer chose pear wood, which was suitable for fine cuts and frequently used in his workshop.
Impact
Samson's tense musculature and the writhing lion create an immediate tension that draws the viewer into the event. Fur and hair are rendered with great precision, revealing Dürer's virtuoso cutting technique. The contrast between the powerful physicality of the figures and the calm architecture in the background shapes the dramatic dynamic of the image.
Technique
The pear-wood matrix measures 39.1 × 27.9 × 2.5 cm, and its raised ridges are what take up the printing ink. On the sheet, that ink sits as crisp black lines and hatching against the paper, so the image reads as a dense network of carved strokes.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)