Simson verbreekt de touwen / Simson en Delila 1716 - 1791

This is Pieter Tanjé's engraving, "Simson verbreekt de touwen," now held in the Rijksmuseum. This work's dominant visual effect comes from the high contrast of the black lines against the white paper, creating sharp, defined forms within two distinct narrative scenes. In the upper panel, we see the titular moment, where Samson breaks free. Tanjé uses strong diagonals to convey movement and force, enhancing the tension. In the lower panel, the composition shifts to a more horizontal orientation. Here, Samson lies prostrate, and the lines become finer, reflecting a scene of betrayal and loss of power. This engraving invites us to consider the themes of strength, betrayal, and vulnerability through the lens of formal contrast. The shift in compositional elements is not merely illustrative; it serves as a structural device to underscore the narrative’s thematic and emotional turning points.