Samson Rending the Lion

"Samson Rending the Lion" by Albrecht Dürer, created between 1497 and 1498, is a monumental example of early German Renaissance woodcut printing. This work, classified simply as a print, showcases Dürer's revolutionary approach to the medium, demonstrating unprecedented detail and dramatic tension previously associated only with engraving. The technique involved meticulously carving the design into a wooden block, a demanding process that resulted in sharp, dynamic black lines against the white ground.

The subject derives directly from the Old Testament Book of Judges (14:5-6), depicting the moment the Israelite hero Samson, imbued with supernatural strength, confronts and overcomes a ferocious lion bare-handed. Dürer captures the violent struggle with characteristic energy; the lion twists mid-air while Samson’s powerful physique dominates the composition. During this period, Dürer was establishing himself as the premier Northern European printmaker, renowned for his skillful fusion of Northern naturalism and Italianate classicism in figure drawing.

This dramatic depiction of physical prowess and divine intervention aligns with the broader Renaissance interest in heroic and classical narratives. The clarity of line and the psychological intensity evident in the faces of both Samson and the ferocious lion elevate this piece beyond a simple Biblical illustration. This exceptional example of Dürer’s early mature style is currently held in the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.