“The Blinding of Samson” is a distinguished work by the artist Rembrandt, created in the year 1636. This oil on canvas artwork measures 302 x 236 cm and is grounded in the Baroque movement with a clear inclination towards Tenebrism, enhancing dramatic intensity through the stark contrast of light and shadow. It falls under the religious painting genre, depicting a biblical narrative. The artwork is exhibited at the Städel Museum in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
The artwork captures the climactic moment from the biblical story of Samson, found in the Book of Judges. Samson, a man of extraordinary strength, is overpowered by several men after being betrayed by Delilah, who sits to the right of the painting, witnessing the scene. The central figure of Samson is prostrate, with his arms being restrained, and a sense of movement is depicted as one of the captors gouges out his eyes, robbing him of his sight. The use of light centers the viewer’s attention on the struggling figure of Samson and his aggressors, dramatizing the violence and chaos of the scene.
Rembrandt’s signature use of chiaroscuro—marked by the sharp contrasts between light and dark—adds a palpable intensity to the scene, highlighting the emotional and physical turmoil. The colors are rich yet subdued, typical of the Baroque period’s aesthetic. Each figure in the composition contributes to the narrative’s tension, conveying a multitude of reactions ranging from aggression to passivity. Overall, this work is a masterful representation of a powerful story, executed with both technical prowess and deep emotional resonance.