The artwork titled “Design for the Fugger Chapel in Augsburg, Samson fighting the Philistines” is a sketch and study created by Albrecht Dürer in 1510. It is associated with the Northern Renaissance art movement, and it is housed in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana located in Milan, Italy. The sketch portrays the biblical figure Samson in the midst of combat with the Philistines, showcasing Dürer’s skill in capturing dynamic movement and dramatic intensity in his studies.
The image presented is a black and white sketch, bustling with activity and densely packed with figures. The central figure is Samson, depicted with great muscularity and vigor, wielding the jawbone of an ass — a weapon he famously used according to the biblical account — as he stands over fallen foes. There’s violence and chaos captured in the scene, with various figures engaged in physical confrontation, bodies on the ground, and expressions of pain and aggression. In the backdrop, architectural forms vaguely suggest a cityscape, providing context to the narrative. The sketch is filled with detail, which is indicative of Dürer’s attention to both human anatomy and the tumultuous nature of the scene depicted. Dürer’s talent for line work and composition is evident, creating depth and focus around the figure of Samson despite the busy scene. The year “1510” is inscribed on the bottom of the piece, confirming the date of creation.
