Samson 1912

J.J. Bregnø’s sculpture of Samson stands here at the SMK, a figure sculpted in the round, inviting us to circle and consider it from all angles. I imagine Bregnø wrestling with the clay, pushing and pulling it, coaxing the figure into being. Samson is a man of immense physical strength, but here he's caught in a moment of reflection, almost defeat. See how his head is bowed, the weight of his thoughts pressing down? The texture of the sculpture is fascinating, isn’t it? The smooth, almost polished skin contrasts with the rough, unfinished base, grounding him, connecting him to the earth. There’s a vulnerability in his posture, a kind of introspection. He is strong, yet weary. Bregnø's Samson speaks to me of the human condition, our capacity for both strength and vulnerability. It’s a conversation that artists have been having for centuries, and will continue to explore for years to come.