The Victoria and Albert Museum’s refurbished Medieval and Renaissance Galleries opened on 2nd December 2009.
Dominating the main gallery is a monumental marble statue, 'Samson and a Philistine' by Giambologna – sometimes known as Giovanni Bologna or Jean Boulogne.
'Samson and a Philistine' stands at just under seven feet in height and is the only monumental marble statue by Giambologna outside Florence. It is stunning from every angle.
Amongst Renaissance statues to have left Italy, this is considered to be the finest, apart from Michaelangelo’s 'Slaves', which is in the Paris Louvre.
This article, which was first published on Suite101 in 2010, attempts to explain the impact of this work and, I hope, will encourage you to visit the Victoria and Albert Museum if you are in London so that you can see this moving sculpture for yourself!