Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn 1606 – 1669

Samson Accusing His Father-in-Law

oil on canvas (156 × 129 cm) — ca. 1635 Gemäldegalerie der Staatlichen Museen, Berlin

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn biography

This work is linked to Judges 15:1

Samson regrets that he left his Philistine wife. He wants to return to her, but her father has already given her to someone else. Samson shakes his fist at the man, to no avail. He takes revenge by destroying some of the Philistines' wheat fields, olive trees and vineyards.

Rembrandt shows Samson with his legendary long hair, that gave him his superhuman strength. The father-in-law wears a red kippah. In the background is an African boy, whose role is unclear.

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