Simson vecht met een leeuw 1728

This engraving, made by Gilliam van der Gouwen, depicts the biblical Samson in fierce combat with a lion. The lion, often a symbol of royalty and strength, here becomes a symbol of raw, untamed power that Samson must overcome. Consider the ancient myth of Hercules battling the Nemean lion, a beast whose skin was impervious to weapons. Hercules, like Samson, triumphs through sheer physical force. This motif of man versus beast resonates across cultures, embodying the struggle between civilization and primal instinct. Think, too, of the Lion Gate of Mycenae, where lions guard the entrance, their symbolism shifting to protectors of sacred space. The rendering of the scene itself evokes a powerful emotional response. The twisting bodies and strained muscles speak to the intensity of the struggle, engaging us on a visceral level, stirring within us a subconscious understanding of conflict and dominance. The image of man battling the lion is not linear, it echoes through time, reappearing in different forms, each instance layered with new meanings, yet retaining a primal connection to the human psyche.