Samson and Delilah 1506

Andrea Mantegna's "Samson and Delilah," created in 1506, depicts the biblical story of Samson, a strongman whose power is reliant on his hair, being betrayed by his lover Delilah. This small, intimate painting, now at the National Gallery in London, uses a starkly dramatic and realistic style to show Delilah cutting Samson's hair, symbolizing his loss of strength. The composition focuses on the two figures, with the background suggesting a garden setting, perhaps hinting at Samson's tragic fall from grace. Mantegna's masterful use of light and shadow creates a sense of foreboding, highlighting the vulnerability of Samson as he submits to Delilah's treachery.