18th Century Italian Biblical Scene With Characters And Architecture Susanna And The Elders

Italian Biblical Scene With Characters And Architecture From the 1800s, horizontal shape depicts the scene of Susanna and the Elders, one of the most frequently depicted Old Testament story, especially in the 16th and 17th centuries. The story is well known: the chaste Susanna, caught in the bath by two elderly gentlemen who frequented her husband's house, is subjected to sexual blackmail: either she will agree to submit to their appetites or the two will tell her husband that they caught her with a young lover. Susanna accepts the humiliation of an unjust accusation; it will be Daniel who will expose the lie of the two lazy elders. The depiction of Susanna caught naked by the old men apparently has moralistic intentions, but it is often a pretext for satisfying the “prudery” of patrons who delight in female nude subjects.

This Italian oil on canvas painting depicts Susanna at the margins sitting on the baluster of a fountain decorated with equestrian sculptures, figures and zoomorphic elements. In front of her a small dog observes the advent of the two old men. In the background is the vegetation of a fenced courtyard beyond which a monumental scenery can be glimpsed.

The painting is unframed, has been lined and has old restorations, visible in the photo gallery, as well as paint stains in the lower left part. Italy 1800.