Samson and Delilah
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Bequest of George Campbell Cooper
Accession Number
1896-3-85
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Heinrich Aldegrever's *Samson and Delilah* (1528) captures a dramatic biblical moment from the Book of Judges, where the mighty hero Samson falls victim to his lover Delilah's betrayal. As she shears his hair—the source of his supernatural strength—Aldegrever freezes this tale of love, deception, and downfall in a finely wrought print. Created during the Northern Renaissance, the work reflects the era's fascination with moral narratives drawn from scripture, which resonated deeply amid the Protestant Reformation's emphasis on personal faith and biblical storytelling. Aldegrever, a German engr...