Cristoforo Stati's Samson And The Lion

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I went to the Art Institution of Chicago during Spring break. I found a sculpture that is very interesting and unique. I found out it is made of marble 210 x 112 x 84 cm (82 5/8 x 44 x 33 inches). It weighs 2,700 pounds. The base is octagonal 118 x 118 cm (46 1/2 x 46 1/2 inches) and the side 49 x 49 cm (18 3/8 inches.) Since it is made of marble, it looks white and very clean. The name of the sculpture is “Samson and the Lion”. It is created by the Italian artist Cristoforo Stati (1556-1619) from 1604 and finished in 1607. I think it’s made in Early Baroque in Italy because the time period is within 1600-1625. Cristoforo Stati wasn’t a well-known sculptor and only few of his works have been identified. He also worked on the restoration of marble works “excavated from archaeological sites”. “Stati had studied under the Flemig-born…show more content…
First, Samson coiled his body to create the diagonal composition and the body in the act of performing a movement. He seems to have a dynamic movement and his body is energetic. When he tears the Lion’s jaw, we can see the muscles on his arms are well carved. Also the muscles on his legs seems very natural and they are very realistic. Even his chest shows a lot details and the area between his neck and shoulder is dented. The sizes of Samson and the Lion are proportioned. They are well carved and realistic. The sculpture looks simple, but it seems like he is getting an actual fight with the Lion. He has no facial emotion, but his human figure is in the state of motion. The motion is created through his diagonal twisted body. The Lion’s face is very emotional. In addition, he and the Lion’s position tend to have more open space. Cristoforo Stati also apply the idea of space usage in his sculpture. This sculpture can be view from many directions and still have the same pleasure. In this sculpture “Samson and the Lion”, I also see a lot classical

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