Samson and Delilah by Max Liebermann - 1902 - 151.2 x 212.0 cm Städel Museum Samson and Delilah by Max Liebermann - 1902 - 151.2 x 212.0 cm Städel Museum

Samson and Delilah

oil on canvas • 151.2 x 212.0 cm
  • Max Liebermann - 20 July 1847 - 8 February 1935 Max Liebermann 1902

Delilah triumphant. In a victorious gesture she presents her trophy of Samson’s curls to her allies. The man whose hair she has cut off and thus deprived of his invincible powers has sunk into her lap. Liebermann has staged the Old Testament story as the modern struggle of the sexes: naked bodies strike dramatic poses in front of the stark background of white sheets and grey walls. Delilah represents the femme fatale disempowering her lover. Such strong female figures captured the imagination of the public at the turn of the century.

We present today's work thanks to the Städel Museum. 

P.S. Here you can see the most famous rendering of this biblical story by Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens! 

P.P.S. If you're up for more biblical stories, don't forget to check our 2022 artsy calendars here, now available for -10% off!  :)