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Susanna And The Elders - Venetian Master Of The 17th Century
"Susanna and the Elders"
Venetian master of the 17th century
Oil painting on canvas
Ancient golden frame
Canvas 63 x 48
Frame 77 x 60
The painting depicts the scene of the famous biblical episode of "Susanna and the Elders" narrated in chapter 13 of the Book of Daniel.
The story was widely represented by the masters of ancient painting starting from the sixteenth century, as it lent itself to the exaltation of sensual images with more or less evident erotic implications, with the ostentation of female nudity often in provocative and highly licentious poses, in total contrast with the morality of that era.
The works could be exhibited in buildings, even ecclesiastical ones, with a pretext of religious connotation, to cover a desire for pornographic viewing.
In fact, the canvas reflects all the aesthetic standards required by noble and religious clients to furnish their palaces in a libertine way.
Its artistic location is easily recognizable in the 17th century Venetian with the bright and contrasting colors and the effective effects of light and shadow to accentuate the volume.
The naked figure of the beautiful protagonist is irradiated with light and peremptorily attracts the viewer's gaze. Only later do we notice the figures of the two lecherous old men, who surprise her in the garden, offering one her money and the other her jewels in exchange for her graces.
The author's intention to base the scene on the depiction of the female protagonist is clear.
The white skin of the chaste Susanna lights up in the center of the canvas and offers her naked body in a frontal pose of great sensuality, with her face portrayed in profile and turned with apprehension towards one of the two old men, trying to push him away while he places a hand on thigh.
Her cheek is red, marked by modest embarrassment, which highlights her shame in the face of the unexpected violation of her intimacy
The work is in good condition complete with a beautiful gilded tray frame from the early 19th century.
Venetian master of the 17th century
Oil painting on canvas
Ancient golden frame
Canvas 63 x 48
Frame 77 x 60
The painting depicts the scene of the famous biblical episode of "Susanna and the Elders" narrated in chapter 13 of the Book of Daniel.
The story was widely represented by the masters of ancient painting starting from the sixteenth century, as it lent itself to the exaltation of sensual images with more or less evident erotic implications, with the ostentation of female nudity often in provocative and highly licentious poses, in total contrast with the morality of that era.
The works could be exhibited in buildings, even ecclesiastical ones, with a pretext of religious connotation, to cover a desire for pornographic viewing.
In fact, the canvas reflects all the aesthetic standards required by noble and religious clients to furnish their palaces in a libertine way.
Its artistic location is easily recognizable in the 17th century Venetian with the bright and contrasting colors and the effective effects of light and shadow to accentuate the volume.
The naked figure of the beautiful protagonist is irradiated with light and peremptorily attracts the viewer's gaze. Only later do we notice the figures of the two lecherous old men, who surprise her in the garden, offering one her money and the other her jewels in exchange for her graces.
The author's intention to base the scene on the depiction of the female protagonist is clear.
The white skin of the chaste Susanna lights up in the center of the canvas and offers her naked body in a frontal pose of great sensuality, with her face portrayed in profile and turned with apprehension towards one of the two old men, trying to push him away while he places a hand on thigh.
Her cheek is red, marked by modest embarrassment, which highlights her shame in the face of the unexpected violation of her intimacy
The work is in good condition complete with a beautiful gilded tray frame from the early 19th century.
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