Samson Betrayed
Frederick Richard Pickersgill (London 1820 - Isle of Wight 1900)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1862
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
1702 x 1168 mm (67 x 46 in)
Order this imageCollection
Benthall Hall, Shropshire
NT 509854
Caption
Pickersgill's depiction of the Old Testament story of Samson and Delilah (Judges 16) is unusual in that it focuses on the early part of the narrative before Delilah cuts off his hair. Samson is seen leaping from the bed he shares with Delilah, having broken through the twine or rope with which she has bound him. A group of five men armed with swords and shields intent on murdering Samson are fleeing the scene on the left. Pickersgill's use of strong colour shows the influence of Venetian Old Masters of the 16th-century, such as Titian.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Samson Betrayed, by Frederick Richard Pickersgill (1820-1900), 1862. A biblical scene of a naked Samson leaping from bed, his wrists bound with rope, the semi-naked figure of Delilah in the background, a group of five murderers flee to the left. Exhibited at the Royal Institution, Manchester, 1862, no.291.
Provenance
Included on page 4 of the Inventory of Items On Loan To The National Trust For Benthall Hall dated 1st October 1963; bequeathed to the National Trust in the will of Michael Pickersgill Benthall (1919 – 1974); accepted for ownership by The National Trust in 1975 following the death of Michael Pickersgill Benthall in 1974
Makers and roles
Frederick Richard Pickersgill (London 1820 - Isle of Wight 1900), artist