The story of Samson and Delilah (Book of Judges, XVI) is one of the popular biblical tales that has been depicted by numerous artists, especially of the Baroque period. The indomitable Samson, blessed with superhuman strength, falls in love with Delilah. Delilah, however, is seduced by the Philistines to elicit from Samson where his strength comes from so they can defeat him. Samson reveals to her that his long hair is the source of his strength and that he would become as weak as any other human if it were cut off. As Samson sleeps, Delilah enables the Philistines to cut off Samson's hair, robbing him of his strength so they can blind and defeat him. Artists such as Rubens and Rembrandt depicted the dramatic moment in which the Philistines cut off Samson's hair or blind him. Carlo Cignani chooses a preceding scene that is rarely depicted: In response to Delilah's attempt to elicit the secret of his strength, Samson does not at first state the true reason. Among others, he tells her that he had to be tied up with nine ropes to lose his strength. But every time the Philistines attack him believing that Samson is weakened, he frees himself and defeats the Philistines - until he reveals the true reason for his strength to Delilah the fourth time. Carlo Cignani depicts the scene in which Delilah points out the attacking Philistines and Samson tears the ropes with a powerful gesture. As in other works by Cignani, the composition focuses on the two protagonists, heightening the drama of the scene. The youthful, elegant figure of Samson betrays the influence of Guido Reni, the composition is formed by the classicism of Bolognese Baroque, the last great representative of which Carlo Cignani was. We would like to thank Dr Milena Naldi for confirming the attribution of this painting to Carlo Cignani. Dimensions 94 x 127.5 cm Artist or Maker Carlo Cignani Medium Oil on canvas (relined) Provenance Auction Koller, Zurich, 15.5.1981, lot 5007. - South German private collection. Notes VAT: Margin scheme