Samson Taken by the Philistines c. 1540 - 1545

Curator: This is Nicolò Boldrini's "Samson Taken by the Philistines," held at the Harvard Art Museums. What strikes you first about this piece? Editor: The chaotic energy! It's like a tightly packed, almost frantic composition. The texture created by the linework alone is incredible. Curator: Indeed. Consider Samson, the biblical strongman, betrayed by Delilah. Boldrini captures a pivotal moment of subjugation. We see the Philistines swarming him, their faces a mix of triumph and aggression. Note how it mirrors contemporary anxieties about power, betrayal, and the vulnerability of even the mightiest. Editor: The foreshortening is also masterful. The artist utilizes line variation to create depth and to articulate the musculature. The composition is effective in conveying the narrative through form. Curator: Absolutely. Boldrini's work offers a fascinating lens through which to examine societal structures and individual agency. Editor: Agreed. There is a reason why we are still discussing the effects of this image today.