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Samson capturé par les Philistins

Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) Italian

1619

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 620

Peuplée de personnages massifs aux traits réalistes, cette toile du Guerchin illustre le dénouement de l’histoire de Samson et Dalila, relatée dans l’Ancien Testament : Samson est piégé par les Philistins, qui le ligotent et lui crèvent les yeux, aidés par la traîtresse Dalila, son amante. La composition, puissante et extraordinairement inventive, est centrée sur le dos vigoureusement musclé de Samson, mais le Guerchin a encore intensifié la scène en l’emplissant de personnages. L’éclairage dramatique est typique des clairs-obscurs de ses premières années. Ce tableau est l’une des nombreuses commandes que fit au Guerchin, alors au sommet de son art, le cardinal Giacomo Serra, légat du pape à Ferrare et collectionneur réputé.

#5089. Samson capturé par les Philistins

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Samson Captured by the Philistines, Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) (Italian, Cento 1591–1666 Bologna), Oil on canvas — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Samson Captured by the Philistines, Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) (Italian, Cento 1591–1666 Bologna), Oil on canvas

Samson Captured by the Philistines, Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) (Italian, Cento 1591–1666 Bologna), Oil on canvas

Samson Captured by the Philistines, Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) (Italian, Cento 1591–1666 Bologna), Oil on canvas

Samson Captured by the Philistines, Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) (Italian, Cento 1591–1666 Bologna), Oil on canvas

Samson Captured by the Philistines, Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) (Italian, Cento 1591–1666 Bologna), Oil on canvas

Samson Captured by the Philistines, Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) (Italian, Cento 1591–1666 Bologna), Oil on canvas

Samson Captured by the Philistines, Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) (Italian, Cento 1591–1666 Bologna), Oil on canvas

Samson Captured by the Philistines, Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) (Italian, Cento 1591–1666 Bologna), Oil on canvas

Samson Captured by the Philistines, Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) (Italian, Cento 1591–1666 Bologna), Oil on canvas

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Fig. 1. Guercino, "Samson Captured by the Philistines," pen and brush on paper, 42.5 x 60 cm (Teylers Museum, Haarlem)

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Fig. 2. Guercino, Study for "Samson Captured by the Philistines," pen and wash on paper, 25.8 x 22.7 cm (Gabinetto dei Disegni e delle Stampe degli Uffizi, Florence)

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Fig. 3. Guercino, "Seated figure, seen from back," drawing (Fondation Custodia, Collection Frits Lugt, Paris)

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Fig. 4. Copy after Guercino, 17th century, "Samson Captured by the Philistines," 181 x 237 cm (Musée d'Angoulême)

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Fig. 5. Painting in frame: overall

Fig. 6. Painting in frame: corner

Fig. 7. Painting in frame: angled corner

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Fig. 8. Profile drawing of frame. W 9 5/16 in. 23.7 cm (T. Newbery)

Titre: Samson capturé par les Philistins

Artiste: Le Guerchin (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri), Italien, 1591–1666

Date: 1619

Technique: Huile sur toile

Dimensions: 191,1 x 236,9 cm

Crédits: Don de M. et M^meCharles Wrightsman, 1984

Accession Number: 1984.459.2

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