Samson and Delilah
Om maleriet
Samson and Delilah is a painting long attributed to the Flemish Baroque artist Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640) in the National Gallery, London. It dates from about 1609 to 1610.
Two preliminary copies of the painting exist today: an ink-and-wash drawing on paper, and an oil sketch on wood panel. The oil sketch is in the Cincinnati Art Museum, while the ink sketch is held by a private collection in Amsterdam.
Oplysninger
- Inventarnummer
- NG6461
Imens i livet hos Peter Paul Rubens
Hele livet1590 – 9. marts 1600 · Virkested
Antwerp
1600
Entering the Service of the Duke of Mantua
Almost immediately upon arriving in Italy, the 23-year-old Rubens was presented in Venice to Duke Vincenzo I Gonzaga and entered the service of the Mantuan court, gaining a patron, a salary, and high standing.
5 March 1603
Diplomatic Mission to Spain
On behalf of Duke Gonzaga, Rubens traveled to Spain to deliver gifts to King Philip III; the paintings were damaged by rainstorms en route, and the artist restored them himself in Valladolid. This was the first of his journeys combining art and diplomacy.
28 October 1608
Departure from Italy Forever
Having finished the commission for the Oratorians, Rubens left Rome without permission on 28 October 1608, hurrying to his ailing mother; despite promises to return to Mantua, he never went back to Italy.
3. oktober 1609
Married: Isabella Brant
9 January 1610
Court Painter to the Archducal Couple
After being presented at court in August 1609, Rubens received his patent as court painter to Archduke Albert and the Infanta Isabella; at the same time he secured the right to remain working in Antwerp rather than Brussels, and to be paid a fee for each painting.
