Samson tearing asunder the Lion
Italian (Venetian) School
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1500 - 1529
Materials
Oil on panel
Measurements
267 x 978 mm (10 1/2 x 38 1/2 in)
Order this imageCollection
Charlecote Park, Warwickshire
NT 533893
Caption
This story is taken from Judges in the Old Testament. Like Hercules, in classical antiquity, Samson demonstrated his strength by killing a lion with his bare hands. In medieval times this one-to-one combat was interpreted as the struggle of Christ against the devil. It is not possible to identify the artist of this picture, but it was someone who was working close to Titian. Given its small scale, it seems likely that it may have been used to decorate a piece of furniture, such as a chest.
Summary
Oil painting on panel, ‘Samson tearing asunder the Lion’ Italian (Venetian) School, early 16th century. A wooded landscape to the left, with Samson killing the lion in the foreground; at the right a river running towards a distant city and mountains. A pair with 533894. In a long rectangular ornate gilt wooden frame. Hanging from picture chains. According to the sale catalogue: from Grimani Villas, Genoa; bought by George Lucy from the dealer Samuel Woodburn in 1839; bought in at Christie's, 1st June 1945, lot 38, as Titian, with companion: £220;
Provenance
On loan from Sir Edmund Fairfax-Lucy, 6th Bt (b. 1945).
Makers and roles
Italian (Venetian) School , artist previously catalogued as attributed to Andrea Schiavone (Zadar c.1500 - Venice 1563), artist previously catalogued as attributed to Titian (Pieve di Cadore 1488/90 - Venice 1576), artist