Samson and Delilah, by van Dyck (1618, c.)

Samson and Delilah, by van Dyck (1618, c.)

van Dyck, Anthony (1599-1641)

1618, c.

This painting portrays the famous biblical scene of the Philistines approaching Samson's to cut off his hair while he lies on Delilah's lap. Note the maid who appears on the right near Delilah. The maid resembles the procuress in Caravaggio's Judith Beheading Holofernes (1598, c.)

According to the description in Dulwich Picture Gallery, "Van Dyck treated Delilah as a prostitute, painting her half undressed in the company of an elderly procuress." (Description from Dulwich Picture Gallery, London, UK, https://www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk/explore-the-collection/101-150/samson-and-delilah/, Archived in: https://web.archive.org/web/20200511195551/https://www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk/explore-the-collection/101-150/samson-and-delilah/ )

Dulwich Picture Gallery, London, UK
https://www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk/explore-the-collection/101-150/samson-and-delilah/

Archived in:
https://web.archive.org/web/20200511195551/https://www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk/explore-the-collection/101-150/samson-and-delilah/

Accession Number: DPG127

Oil on canvas.
Dimensions: 152.3 × 232 cm