About this artwork
Peter Paul Rubens painted this sketch over a preliminary study for his great Adoration of the Magi of 1609 (Museo del Prado, Madrid). He inverted the panel before painting it again; the lower part of the Madonna’s blue robe from the earlier study still shows through at the upper right. The final design was a preparation for the monumental Samson and Delilah painted for Nicolas Rockox, a leading citizen of Antwerp (National Gallery, London). Rubens’s mastery of the oil sketch was part of the rapid, yet methodical working process that helped him forge a brilliant international career following his return to Antwerp after eight years in Italy.
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Status
- Currently Off View
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Department
- Painting and Sculpture of Europe
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Artist
- Peter Paul Rubens
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Title
- The Capture of Samson
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Origin
- Flanders
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Date
- 1609–1610
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Medium
- Oil on panel
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Dimensions
- 19 3/4 × 26 1/8 in. (50.4 × 66.4 cm)
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Credit Line
- Robert A. Waller Memorial Fund
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Reference Number
- 1923.551
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IIIF Manifest
- https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/8953/manifest.json
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.