Samson and the Philistines
Figure Group
1749 (dated)
1749 (dated)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The Old Testament hero Samson is here shown wielding the jawbone of an ass to slay two of the Philistines who were taunting him. This massive figure group was purchased from the artist by the young Lord Malton, later 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, when he visited Italy in 1749 in order to obtain works of art for his father's new house, Wentworth Woodhouse, in Yorkshire. The sculpture remained there, displayed in the sculpture gallery in the house, until 1985.
The marble from which this sculpture is carved was probably originally intended for a work by Giambologna, a replacement for his earlier Samson and the Philistine (Museum no. Museum no. A.7-1954), which had been sent as a gift to Spain in 1601. In the event Giambologna did not carve the replacement, and the block was given to the Granducal sculptor, Giambattista Foggini, who took over Giambologna's workshop. It then became available to Giambattista's son and pupil, Vincenzo.
The marble from which this sculpture is carved was probably originally intended for a work by Giambologna, a replacement for his earlier Samson and the Philistine (Museum no. Museum no. A.7-1954), which had been sent as a gift to Spain in 1601. In the event Giambologna did not carve the replacement, and the block was given to the Granducal sculptor, Giambattista Foggini, who took over Giambologna's workshop. It then became available to Giambattista's son and pupil, Vincenzo.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Samson and the Philistines (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Carved marble |
| Brief description | Figure group, marble, depicting Samson and the Philistines, by Vincenzo Foggini, Italy (Florence), dated 1749 |
| Physical description | Marble figure group depicting Samson and the Philistines, inscribed, 'VINVS FOGGINI / SCVLPSIT FLO / RENTIAE / 1749'. The group comprises of three male nudes; Samson stands, a jaw bone in his raised right hand, astride two struggling Philistines. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'VINVS FOGGINI / SCVLPSIT FLO / RENTIAE / 1749' (Maker's identification; lower part of 'rocky' base; carved; marble) |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Purchased with Art Fund support, and the assistance of the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Murray Bequest |
| Object history | Wentworth Woodhouse, Yorkshire, 1750-1985 (bought in 1749 by Charles Lord Malton, later 2nd Marquess of Rockingham (1730-1782) and passed by descent through the heirs of his sister Anne and her husband, the 3rd Earl Fitzwilliam): Christie's, London, 15 July 1986, lot 96; Fred Koch, London; Christie's, London, 5 December 1989, lot 204; Green Drake Corporation, New York. Purchased by the Museum for £350,000 from Green Drake Corp., in 1991. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The Old Testament hero Samson is here shown wielding the jawbone of an ass to slay two of the Philistines who were taunting him. This massive figure group was purchased from the artist by the young Lord Malton, later 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, when he visited Italy in 1749 in order to obtain works of art for his father's new house, Wentworth Woodhouse, in Yorkshire. The sculpture remained there, displayed in the sculpture gallery in the house, until 1985. The marble from which this sculpture is carved was probably originally intended for a work by Giambologna, a replacement for his earlier Samson and the Philistine (Museum no. Museum no. A.7-1954), which had been sent as a gift to Spain in 1601. In the event Giambologna did not carve the replacement, and the block was given to the Granducal sculptor, Giambattista Foggini, who took over Giambologna's workshop. It then became available to Giambattista's son and pupil, Vincenzo. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.1-1991 |
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| Record created | February 26, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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