Physical Qualities
Woodcut, 306 × 497 mm. (12 1/16 × 19 9/16 in.)
Credit Line
Garrett Collection
Object Number
1946.112.8601
A symbol of treachery, Delilah used her voluptuous beauty to trick the Israelite warrior Samson into revealing the secret of his supreme strength: his uncut hair. While Samson slept, Delilah cut his hair so that his enemies, the Philistines, could capture him. This woodcut shows the moment of Delilah’s betrayal, as she holds large shears in one hand and Samson’s locks of hair in the other.
note: 1999.91 a duplicate impression of this print was included in the exhibition Women Behaving Badly. There was a mixup with accession numbers that was caught during the 2021 inventory and collection move.
Markings: CM: Claghorn
