Simson 1772 - 1773

Antoine Alexandre Joseph Cardon created this print called ‘Simson.’ Made in a time when Europe was reckoning with enlightenment ideals about reason and individualism, Cardon here represents a biblical scene: the moment when Samson, a man of extraordinary strength, wrestles a lion. This imagery was often used to reinforce ideas about male power and dominance, reflecting a society structured around patriarchal norms. Yet, looking closer, we can also consider what it means to depict the male form as powerful, but also vulnerable – Samson is nude save for a cloth around his waist, his physical exertion visible. This contrasts the raw, untamed power of the lion with human strength and intellect. The image complicates simple notions of power. Is it about physical force, or does it involve a struggle with one's own vulnerabilities and societal expectations? The print invites us to reflect on the multifaceted nature of power, its performance, and its relationship to identity. How do we reconcile the celebration of strength with the recognition of vulnerability?