Samson and Delilah, Rubens

A biblical scene from the Old Testament, in which Delilah betrays the Hebrew hero Samson, whom she loved, by cutting his hair after he confessed that his hair was the source of his strength.
In a dark room lit by a candle, a small statue of the goddess Venus can be seen in the background, and to the right, soldiers waiting for the opportune moment to capture Samson once he has lost all his power.

The use of light and shadow in sharp contrast, along with the deep, rich colors, gives this work a wondrous potency that projects towards the viewer's gaze and captures even the most indifferent.
The painting was initially commissioned by Nicolaas II Rockox, Lord mayor of Antwerp, Belgium, for his Rockox House.