Simson vecht met een leeuw 1575

This is Johann Sadeler’s engraving, “Simson vecht met een leeuw”, made around 1580. At first glance, the composition is dominated by the intense struggle between Samson and the lion, depicted with striking detail. The contrasting textures—the smoothness of Samson's skin against the rough fur of the lion—create a tactile sense of conflict. The image operates within a symbolic structure that represents a tension between man and nature, and civilization and the wild. The formal use of line and form here is not merely descriptive. Instead, it serves as a symbolic language. The controlled lines of Samson's armor contrast with the chaotic fur of the lion, suggesting an imposition of order onto the chaotic forces of nature. This contrast destabilizes fixed notions of dominance and control, reflecting the broader philosophical concerns of the period regarding humanity’s relationship with the natural world. Sadeler’s engraving invites us to consider the multifaceted nature of power, not just as physical dominance, but as a complex negotiation between opposing forces.