Samson Rending the Lion (ca. 1497–98, Met-Objekt 140)
Original title: Samson Rending the Lion
kurzbeschreibung
Albrecht Dürer made the woodcut "Samson Rending the Lion" around 1497–98, depicting the Old Testament episode in which Samson overpowers a lion with his bare hands. The sheet measures 40.6 × 30.2 cm and ranks among the early high points of Renaissance printmaking.
Description
A powerful, bearded man with long hair squats on the back of a mighty lion. He has clasped its head; the animal lies on the ground, its jaws wide open, paws outstretched—a gripping image of struggle. The action is set outdoors, indicated by a section with trees and a distant horizon. Strong strokes and stark contrasts heighten the drama of the event.
Context
Dürer produced this woodcut around 1497–98, when he was deeply engaged with printmaking. The subject comes from the Book of Judges (14:5–6) and in Christian iconography was regarded as a symbol of good's victory over evil. The sheet was probably made in Nuremberg, where Dürer ran his own workshop and reached a new audience with the woodcut.
Impact
The image thrives on physical force and the immediate tension between man and beast. The monumental figure and clear layout make the sheet appear like a triumph of human strength and divine assistance.
Technique
Dürer achieves volume and shadow through densely packed parallel hatching, the carved lines functioning as tone rather than mere outline. By varying the spacing and direction of these strokes, he builds light and shade that give the figures sculptural weight within the outdoor scene. The resulting contrast of black lines against white paper sharpens the drama of the struggle.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)