Samson binder to ræves haler sammen for at antænde dem 1863

Here at the SMK is Vilhelm Bissen's 'Samson binder to ræves haler sammen for at antænde dem', a sculpture of modest dimensions created in an unknown medium. The composition presents a crouching figure of Samson, his gaze directed downward, binding the tails of foxes. The rough, unfinished texture of the material conveys a sense of immediacy, while the monochromatic palette focuses attention on the play of light and shadow across the forms. The figure's posture and muscular definition evoke a sense of contained power. The choice to depict Samson in this particular act destabilizes the traditional heroic narrative. By focusing on a moment of cunning and preparation rather than direct confrontation, Bissen engages with broader philosophical questions about agency, deception, and the manipulation of power. The sculpture prompts us to consider how meaning is constructed through the interplay of form and narrative, challenging fixed interpretations and inviting ongoing re-evaluation.