Samson and the Philistine

Bronzes often exist in a number of versions, made over many decades or even centuries. This is achieved through a variety of means, such as changes in the wax, new moulds taken from an existing bronze or the reuse of the existing model. This group (together with inv.no. A.55-1956) are clearly based on a similar model but represent two different scenes from the Old Testament. They derive from a marble sculpture of Cain and Abel by Diogini Bussola (1615-1687) in the Milan Cathedral. In this version the figures have been adapted as Samson attacking a Philistine with the jawbone of an ass.

Samson is a biblical figure. Samson means either “of the sun” or “one who serves (god)”. Samson is a Herculean-like figure, with tremendous strength given by God to combat his enemies and perform heroic acts, like the wrestling with the lion.