Samson and Delilah (Rigaud)

Samson and Delilah is a 1784 history painting by the Italian-born British artist John Francis Rigaud. It depicts the biblical scene of Samson and Delilah, a popular subject in art.^[1] Unusually Riguad chose to show the moment of Samson breaking free of his chains rather than the more famous scene of Delilah cutting his hair. It is also known as Samson Breaking his Bands.^[2][3]

Samson and Delilah
Artist	John Francis Rigaud
Year	1784
Type	Oil on canvas, history painting
Dimensions	130.3 cm × 152.6 cm (51.3 in × 60.1 in)
Location	Royal Academy of Arts, London

After being elected to full membership as a Royal Academician, Riguad presented this as his diploma work to the Royal Academy of Arts which was then based in Somerset House.^[4]