Samson breaking his bands

This rediscovered work by John Francis Rigaud relates to his diploma picture for the Royal Academy, completed in 1784 and hung in the Council Chamber of Somerset House soon afterwards (London, Royal Academy; measuring 129.6 x 163.2 cm). Rather than a preparatory sketch for the Royal Academy painting, the finish of the present work appears more like a ricordo. Given the almost identical dimensions of Francesco Bartolozzi’s engraving and etching after the composition (published 1 January 1799; measuring 26 x 31 cm), it is also possible that this painting was completed by Rigaud for the engraver to work from. The reverse of the present plate is stamped 'Jones No. 1 / Shoe Lane London', presumably referring to Richard Jones, a copper plate maker who was based on Shoe Lane by 1785, and died in 1788.

After studying in Turin, Florence and Bologna, and working in Rome, Rigaud settled in London in 1771. He went on to become an in-demand painter of decorative schemes, including for the Common Council Chamber of Guildhall, London and for his foremost patron Heneage Finch, 4th Earl of Aylesford (1751-1812), at Packington Hall, Warwickshire.

The episode is taken from Judges 16, which describes how, with help from the Philistines, Delilah bound Samson's wrists with rope, which he broke easily revealing his true strength. For more on the composition, including the artist’s inspiration from Rubens and Michelangelo, see S.F.D Rigaud and W.L. Pressly, ‘Facts and Recollections of the XVIIIth Century in a Memoir of John Francis Rigaud Esq., R.A.’, The Walpole Society, L, 1984, pp. 1-164.