Samson and Delilah c. 1616

Gerard van Honthorst's "Samson and Delilah" (c. 1616) depicts the biblical story of Samson, a powerful warrior, being betrayed by his lover, Delilah, who cuts his hair, the source of his strength. The painting is a dramatic portrayal of the moment of betrayal, with Delilah cutting Samson's hair while he sleeps, and an old woman looking on in complicity. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts of light and dark, adds to the sense of drama and tension in the scene. The painting is a classic example of Dutch Golden Age painting, characterized by its focus on realism, detail, and use of light and shadow.