An important contribution to reviving the group of sculptures depicting Samson and the Lion
Such as the life of man, that of Milan Duomo’s sculptures is dotted with multiple milestones: it is a journey that starts from the Candoglia Quarries where the marble that they come from is extracted, arriving then at the Marble Workshop where the block is worked on in detail and, finally, the finished statue is placed on the Monument by workers at the Duomo Worksite.
Nevertheless, even these magnificent works come to the end of their lifecycles on the walls of the Cathedral after a time, inevitably needing to be removed for preservation and safety reasons. “Adopt a Statue” was created with the intention of enhancing once again the beauty and history of these unique pieces, giving companies the opportunity to contribute to their restoration and display them in a space away from the Historical Complex, in accordance with the Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape of the Metropolitan City of Milan. A unique opportunity to promote the history and the beauty of this heritage, which belongs to all.
Deloitte and the adoption of Samson and the lion
Deloitte, world leader in the offer of professional services to businesses, has decided to adopt the imposing group of sculptures depicting “Samson Fighting the Lion”, made in the 17th century by Giovanni Battista Buzzi and originally found on the northern arm of the cross. The work will be kept on display for a year at the company’s Milan headquarters, in via Tortona, welcoming employees and clients in its elegant, internal courtyard.
In the story of Samson, narrated throughout the books of the Old Testament, the extraordinary strength of a man stands out – a hero chosen by God to fight the Philistines; just as in this biblical episode where Samson wins with his virtue alone against the wild beast that attacked him. He effectively embodies the strength that wins over ferocity.
“So Samson went down with his
father and mother to Timnah, and he
came to the vineyards of Timnah. Now
to his surprise, a young lion came roaring
against him. And the Spirit of the Lord came
mightily upon him, and he tore the lion apart
as one would have torn apart a young goat,
though he had nothing in his hand.
But he did not tell his father or his mother
what he had done.”
Judges 14:5-6
