Plate 47. ‘Samson and the Lion,’ by Frederic Leighton. 7¼ x 7¼ inches. Proof wood engraving by the Dalziels; printed on India paper. [Click on image to enlarge it.]
This is an illustration of the famous scene where Samson is attacked by a lion and kills the beast, inspired by the power of God, with his own hands (Judges 14). Leighton emphasises Samson’s strength, endowing him with a vast forearm and dynamic pose as he pushes the unfortunate beast against a wall. The design is intended to be a representation of heroic violence, but on this occasion Leighton misjudges the effect. The cat, though supposed to be a young lion, is disproportionately small and slight, and its outstretched legs and tail seem more comedic than threatening.
Image scan and text by Simon Cooke. You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the person who scanned it and (2) link to this URL in a web document or cite it in a print one.
Bibliography
Dalziels’ Bible Gallery. London: Routledge, 1881 [1880].
Created 30 June 2026