Artwork
Susanna Surprised by the Two Elders
Susanna Surprised by the Two Elders is an ink print by the Renaissance artist German 16th Century. It dates from 1555 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The work titled *Susanna Surprised by the Two Elders* is an etched print that captures a brief episode from the biblical narrative of Susanna. The composition centers on a young woman confronted by two older men, conveying a sense of alarm and vulnerability as the figures interact.
Subject & Meaning
The image illustrates the moment when the two elders attempt to deceive Susanna, a scene drawn from the Book of Daniel. Their approach and her startled reaction highlight themes of power imbalance and moral testing within the story.
Technique & Style
Created through the etching process, the artist incised lines into a metal plate, allowing for fine detail and tonal variation when the inked plate was pressed onto paper. This method yields a crisp delineation of figures and emphasizes the contrast between the characters' expressions.
History & Provenance
The print belongs to the tradition of biblical illustration that flourished in European art, though specific details about its date, creator, or ownership history are not provided in the source material.
Context
The depiction aligns with a long-standing visual interest in the Susanna narrative, which has been rendered by painters and printmakers to explore themes of virtue, temptation, and justice. The choice of etching reflects the medium’s popularity for disseminating religious subjects to a broader audience.
Artist & collection
Artist
A German artist from the late 1500s drew lively scenes of knights clashing in parades and mock battles.
![Abraham Entertaining the Angels [verso], by German 16th Century](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/german-16th-century--abraham-entertaining-the-angels-verso--69d1b25f4eba0a53-w320.webp)
