The artwork titled “Delilah cut Samson’s hair and, had thus deprived him his superhuman strength, he has fallen asleep on her lap and she is going to deliver him to Philistines who watch (Judges XVI, 15-18)” is an etching on paper by Marc Chagall. Created circa 1956 in France, this piece is a part of the “Etchings for the Bible” series developed between 1930-1939 and 1952-1956. It measures 28.6 by 24.9 cm and belongs to the religious painting genre within the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement.
In the artwork, Marc Chagall interprets the biblical story of Samson and Delilah from the Book of Judges. Samson is depicted as having fallen asleep on Delilah’s lap, having been deprived of his supernatural strength after she cut his hair. Delilah, with an expression that suggests triumph, is seen in the foreground while the Philistines, awaiting their opportunity, are positioned in the background, observing the scene intently. The etching, characterized by its distinct, somewhat primitive line work, captures the dramatic tension and emotional depth of this pivotal moment through Chagall’s unique artistic lens.
