Samson and Delilah seated on a bed, Samson tearing apart the ropes binding his hands as soldiers look on from behind a curtain; from the series of 112 prints of the sacred history, after the painting by Giovanni Battista Pittoni

Art Historical Context

This dramatic etching and engraving captures a pivotal moment from the biblical story of Samson and Delilah (Judges 16), the mighty hero demonstrates his superhuman strength by tearing apart ropes binding his wrists. Seated on a bed, Samson remains oblivious as Delilah watches intently, while Philistine soldiers peer suspiciously from behind a curtain, foreshadowing his eventual betrayal. Created around 1730–39 by Pietro Monaco a painting by Venetian Rococo artist Giovanni Battista Pittoni, print exemplifies the era's fascination with dynamic religious narratives, blending tension and theatricality in Pittoni's elegant, luminous style. As part of a monumental series of 112 prints depicting sacred history, Monaco's meticulous etching and engraving techniques faithfully reproduce Pittoni's composition on a generous sheet (16 3/4 × 11 15/16 in.). These reproductive prints were vital in the 18th century for disseminating high-art religious scenes to a wider audience, from devout collectors to scholars, making opulent Venetian painting accessible beyond elite patrons. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1962 and housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, this work highlights the collaborative artistry of painting and printmaking, preserving Pittoni's vision while showcasing Monaco's virtuoso linework in conveying shadow, texture, and emotion. A testament to faith, folly, and fortitude, it invites visitors to ponder Samson's tragic hubris.