Samson slaying the Lion; Jacob's Ladder 16th century

Jos Murer made this stained glass panel depicting "Samson slaying the Lion; Jacob's Ladder" in Switzerland around 1570. The choice of biblical scenes isn't accidental. Glassmakers in 16th-century Switzerland often produced panels with religious imagery. The Reformation had spread throughout Europe and these images reflected the culture's deep entanglement with biblical narratives. The combination of scenes, one of strength and one of divine communication, may have been intended to promote the virtue of spiritual resolve. Samson, a figure of great strength, represents physical prowess, while Jacob's ladder shows a path to the divine. Understanding Murer's work requires that we explore the religious and political context of the time. Historians rely on sources such as period documents and theological tracts to understand the significance of these panels within their original setting.