Samson and Delilah
The subjed is from Judges XVI, 19: Van Dyck depicts the moment immediately before Samson's hair is shorn and his strength thereby lost. The picture was probably painted c.1619-20, while Van Dyck was working in Rubens's studio. The composition derives from Rubens's treatment of the subject in the National Gallery, London of c.1609, but the composition is reversed and is therefore probably taken from the print by Jacob Matham. Two related drawings are recorded: a first idea formerly at Brernen (now destroyed), and a squared preparatory drawing in the Kupferstichkabinett, Berlin.