From the idea to the painting

The paragon for Corinth's monumental painting is Rembrandt's execution of the biblical theme (1636, since 1905, Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main). In his composition, Corinth adopts the dramatic brawl with the hero pushed to the ground in a diagonal position, who also forms the centre of the painting. Everyone's attention is focused on Samson, who is to be defeated. Corinth clarifies details of the composition with the preliminary drawing. For example, he tries out where he can best place Delila in the background. In contrast to Rembrandt's version and the drawing, Corinth mirrors the composition for the subsequent painting. Ultimately, he succeeds in heightening the plot drama in the finished work: In doing so, he adds the opponent on the left with the lance stabbing at the protagonist, thus creating a second diagonal directed at Samson. He is placed close to the lower edge of the artwork and thus almost seems to slide out of the painting towards the viewer.