Samson Slaying a Philistine

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Samson stands victorious with the jawbone of a donkey in hand, having slain one of his tormentors. This iconic marble sculpture is the earliest masterpiece by Giambologna, an Italian artist who rarely left Italy. Commissioned by Francesco de' Medici, it was first installed in Florence as part of a grand fountain. Later, in 1601, the fountain was sent to Spain as a gift from Grand-Duke Ferdinando I of Tuscany to the Duke of Lerma, chief advisor to Philip III of Spain. During Charles Prince of Wales's visit to Spain in 1623, he received this sculpture. Upon arriving in England, it was given to the king's favorite, the Duke of Buckingham, and later changed hands three times before finding its way to the museum in 1954. This masterpiece exemplifies Giambologna's unique approach to multiple viewpoints; the twisting motion of the bodies makes it impossible to see from just one angle. In contrast, Bernini's monumental works typically present a single viewpoint. Despite being outdoors for centuries and bearing signs of weathering, Giambologna's delicate carving remains striking. This sculpture can be found in Room 50a of the Paul and Jill Ruddock Gallery, case FS, within the Medieval & Renaissance section of the museum. Scan The World is a community-driven initiative launched by MyMiniFactory to create a digital archive of fully printable sculptures and landmarks from around the world. If you have interesting items nearby and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com for more information. This object is courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.