Samson and the Philistine
Statuette
1650-1700 (made)
1650-1700 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Bronzes often exist in a number of versions, made over many decades or even centuries. This is achieved through a variety of means, such as changes in the wax, new moulds taken from an existing bronze or the reuse of the existing model. This group (together with inv.no. A.55-1956) are clearly based on a similar model but represent two different scenes from the Old Testament. They derive from a marble sculpture of Cain and Abel by Diogini Bussola (1615-1687) in the Milan Cathedral. In this version the figures have been adapted as Samson attacking a Philistine with the jawbone of an ass.
Samson is a biblical figure. Samson means either “of the sun” or “one who serves (god)”. Samson is a Herculean-like figure, with tremendous strength given by God to combat his enemies and perform heroic acts, like the wrestling with the lion.
Samson is a biblical figure. Samson means either “of the sun” or “one who serves (god)”. Samson is a Herculean-like figure, with tremendous strength given by God to combat his enemies and perform heroic acts, like the wrestling with the lion.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Samson and the Philistine (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Statuette, bronze, Samson and a Philistine, Italy (Milan), based on an original by Dionigi Bussola, second half of the 17th century, perhaps even modern |
| Physical description | Samson is shown standing and holding the Philistine between his legs. With his left hand he holds down the Philistine by his neck and in his right raised arm he holds the jawbone and is about to strike the Philistine. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Bequeathed by Dr W. L. Hildburgh FSA |
| Object history | Given by Dr. W. L. Hildburgh, F. S. A., 1956. |
| Production | Attributed date. Perhaps even modern. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Bronzes often exist in a number of versions, made over many decades or even centuries. This is achieved through a variety of means, such as changes in the wax, new moulds taken from an existing bronze or the reuse of the existing model. This group (together with inv.no. A.55-1956) are clearly based on a similar model but represent two different scenes from the Old Testament. They derive from a marble sculpture of Cain and Abel by Diogini Bussola (1615-1687) in the Milan Cathedral. In this version the figures have been adapted as Samson attacking a Philistine with the jawbone of an ass. Samson is a biblical figure. Samson means either “of the sun” or “one who serves (god)”. Samson is a Herculean-like figure, with tremendous strength given by God to combat his enemies and perform heroic acts, like the wrestling with the lion. |
| Associated object | A.55-1956 (Version) |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.54-1956 |
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| Record created | January 14, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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