Focus on Samson Slaying a Philistine and explore the abstract.
Samson Slaying a Philistine is a c, 1562 marble sculpture by Giambologna. It is the earliest of his marble groups for the sculptor to the Medici Grand Dukes of Tuscany, and the only substantial work by the artist to have left Italy. It was commissioned in around 1562 by Francesco de' Medici for a fountain in Florence, but was later sent as a gift to Spain, being placed in Palacio de la Ribera, Valladolid.
The group was presented to the Prince of Wales, later King Charles I in 1623 and Samson Slaying a Philistine  soon became the most famous Italian sculpture in England. On its arrival in England it was given to the king's favourite, the Duke of Buckingham, and subsequently changed hands three times before coming to the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1954.
Florence Philistine King Charles I Francesco de' Medici Palacio de la Ribera Medici Duke of Buckingham Samson Grand Dukes of Tuscany Victoria and Albert Museum Giambologna